Association Between Risk Factors and Readmission for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Treated With Catheter Ablation

BACKGROUND: Because of high readmission rates for patients treated with ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), there is great value in nurses knowing which risk factors make the largest contribution to readmission. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to (1) describe potential risk factors at discharge and (2) describe the associations of risk factors with readmission from 60 days to 1 year after discharge. METHODS: Data from a national cross-sectional survey exploring patient-reported outcomes were used in conjunction with data from national health registers. This study included patients who had an ablation for AF during a single calendar year. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and questions on risk factors were included. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected through registers, and readmissions were examined at 1 year. RESULTS: In total, 929 of 1320 (response rate, 70%) eligible patients treated with ablation for AF completed the survey. One year after ablation, there were 333 (36%) acute readmissions for AF and 401 (43%) planned readmissions for AF. Readmissions were associated with ischemic heart disease, anxiety, and depression. CONCLUSION: High observed readmission rates were associated with risk factors that included anxiety and depression. Postablation care should address these risk factors.