Key result
Catheter ablation rates for atrial fibrillation in Australia surged 48-fold from 71 to 3480 between 1997 and 2016, while amiodarone prescriptions decreased and sotalol/flecainide increased.
Why the study?
What are the trends in rhythm control strategies (anti-arrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation) for atrial fibrillation in Australia between 1997 and 2016?
Observational
Yes
What are the trends in rhythm control strategies (anti-arrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation) for atrial fibrillation in Australia between 1997 and 2016?
In Australia, the use of amiodarone for AF rhythm control is decreasing while catheter ablation rates have increased 48-fold between 1997 and 2016, consistent with international guidelines.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Marked rise in AF ablations with shifting AAD use supports evolving practice; leaves open effects on outcomes.
BACKGROUND: An important aspect of atrial fibrillation (AF) management is the decision whether to adopt a rate or rhythm control strategy. Options for the latter include oral anti-arrhythmic drugs (AAD) or catheter ablation. AIM: To describe the trends in rhythm control for AF in Australia between 1997 and 2016. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study using prospectively collected data between 1997 and 2016 from the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme and Medicare Benefit Schedule websites, which, respectively, contain information pertaining to public AAD prescriptions and rebatable AF ablation procedures performed in Australia. RESULTS: Sotalol and amiodarone remain the most commonly prescribed AAD in Australia, although their use is decreasing. Rates of catheter ablation for AF continue to rise annually with a 48-fold increase from 71 to 3480 since 1997. CONCLUSION: A rhythm control strategy is frequently utilised for AF management in Australia. Consistent with international guidelines which advocate safety over efficacy when choosing a rhythm control strategy, the prescriptions of amiodarone have been consistently decreasing since 2002, whereas sotalol and flecainide prescriptions have largely increased, with a peak in 2015. Catheter ablation per capita has burgeoned 36-fold.
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Khan et al. (2017) conducted an observational in Atrial fibrillation. Anti-arrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation was evaluated on Trends in outpatient anti-arrhythmic prescriptions and left atrial ablation. Catheter ablation rates for atrial fibrillation in Australia surged 48-fold from 71 to 3480 between 1997 and 2016, while amiodarone prescriptions decreased and sotalol/flecainide increased.
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