The Lead Episode 61: Impact of Atrial Fibrillation Burden on Health Care Costs and Utilization-JACC: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology (visual aid)

JACC: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology (visual aid)

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The study analyzed the impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) burden on health care costs and utilization in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). The research aimed to assess the incremental cost of device-recognized AF compared to no AF, evaluate costs for different types of AF (paroxysmal, persistent, permanent), and analyze rates and sources of health care utilization. The study used a large cohort of CIED patients from the Optum Clinformatics U.S. claims database linked with the Medtronic CareLink database.<br /><br />Results showed that of the analyzed patients, 36.5% had device-recognized AF, with incremental annualized costs higher by $12,789 per patient for those with AF. Persistent AF was associated with the highest health care costs due to increased rates of inpatient and outpatient hospitalizations, heart failure hospitalizations, and AF-specific interventions. The study also found higher costs for patients with AF in general and for different types of AF compared to those without AF. Health care encounters, inpatient hospitalization days, and costs at various sites of service were increased for patients with AF, with PeAF leading to higher costs.<br /><br />The study highlighted the significant financial impact of AF, with PeAF showing the highest costs among different types of AF. The research provides valuable insights into the mechanisms driving increased health care costs and utilization in patients with AF and emphasizes the importance of AF prevention and treatment strategies to reduce overall health care utilization costs. Further research is needed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of AF-specific interventions and management strategies.

Keywords

atrial fibrillation

AF burden

health care costs

cardiac implantable electronic devices

CIEDs

cost analysis

health care utilization

persistent AF

paroxysmal AF

AF-specific interventions