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van de Kar M, Dekker L, Timmermanns I, Della Rocca D, Chierchia GB, Da Riis-Vestergaard L, Uffenorde S, Morgan J, Chun J. A cost-consequence analysis comparing three cardiac ablation strategies for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. J Med Econ 2024; 27:826-835. [PMID: 38889094 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2369433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cardiac ablation is a well-established method for treating atrial fibrillation (AF). Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a non-thermal therapeutic alternative to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoballoon ablation (CRYO). PFA uses high-voltage electric pulses to target cells. The present analysis aims to quantify the costs, outcomes, and resources associated with these three ablation strategies for paroxysmal AF. METHODS Real-world clinical data were prospectively collected during index hospitalization by three European medical centers (Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands) specialized in cardiac ablation. These data included procedure times (pre-procedural, skin-to-skin and post-procedural), resource use, and staff burden. Data regarding complications associated with each of the three treatment options and redo procedures were extracted from the literature. Costs were collected from hospital economic formularies and published cost databases. A cost-consequence model from the hospital perspective was built to estimate the impact of the three treatment options in terms of effectiveness and costs. RESULTS Across the three centers, N = 91 patients were included over a period of 12 months. A significant difference was seen in pre-procedural time (mean ± SD, PFA: 13.6 ± 3.7 min, CRYO: 18.8 ± 6.6 min, RFA: 20.4 ± 6.4 min; p < .001). Procedural time (skin-to-skin) was also different across alternatives (PFA: 50.9 ± 22.4 min, CRYO: 74.5 ± 24.5 min, RFA: 140.2 ± 82.4 min; p < .0001). The model reported an overall cost of €216,535 per 100 patients treated with PFA, €301,510 per 100 patients treated with CRYO and €346,594 per 100 patients treated with RFA. Overall, the cumulative savings associated with PFA (excluding kit costs) were €850 and €1,301 per patient compared to CRYO and RFA, respectively. CONCLUSION PFA demonstrated shorter procedure time compared to CRYO and RFA. Model estimates indicate that these time savings result in cost savings for hospitals and reduce outlay on redo procedures. Clinical practice in individual hospitals varies and may impact the ability to transfer the results of this analysis to other settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ines Timmermanns
- CCB - Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum Frankfurt und Main-Taunus GbR, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Domenico Della Rocca
- Heart Rhythm Management Centre, Postgraduate Program in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, European Reference Networks Guard-Heart, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gian-Battista Chierchia
- Heart Rhythm Management Centre, Postgraduate Program in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, European Reference Networks Guard-Heart, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - John Morgan
- Boston Scientific Medizintechnik GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julian Chun
- CCB - Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum Frankfurt und Main-Taunus GbR, Frankfurt, Germany
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Benz AP, Amit G, Connolly SJ, Singh J, Acosta-Vélez JG, Conen D, Deif B, Divakaramenon S, McIntyre WF, Mtwesi V, Roberts JD, Wong JA, Zhao R, Healey JS. Colchicine to Prevent Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Catheter Ablation: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2024; 17:e01238. [PMID: 38126206 DOI: 10.1161/circep.123.012387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammation may promote atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation. This study aimed to evaluate a short-term anti-inflammatory treatment with colchicine following ablation of AF. METHODS Patients scheduled for ablation were randomized to receive colchicine 0.6 mg twice daily or placebo for 10 days. The first dose of the study drug was administered within 4 hours before ablation. Atrial arrhythmia recurrence was defined as AF, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia >30 s on two 14-day Holters performed immediately and at 3 months following ablation. RESULTS The modified intention-to-treat population included 199 patients (median age, 61 years; 22% female; 70% first procedure) who underwent radiofrequency (79%) or cryoballoon ablation (21%) of AF. Antiarrhythmic drugs were prescribed at discharge in 149 (75%) patients. Colchicine did not prevent atrial arrhythmia recurrence at 2 weeks (31% versus 32%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.98 [95% CI, 0.59-1.61]; P=0.92) or at 3 months following ablation (14% versus 15%; HR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.45-2.02]; P=0.89). Postablation chest pain consistent with pericarditis was reduced with colchicine (4% versus 15%; HR, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.09-0.77]; P=0.02) and colchicine increased diarrhea (26% versus 7%; HR, 4.74 [95% CI, 1.95-11.53]; P<0.001). During a median follow-up of 1.3 years, colchicine did not reduce a composite of emergency department visit, cardiovascular hospitalization, cardioversion, or repeat ablation (29 versus 25 per 100 patient-years; HR, 1.18 [95% CI, 0.69-1.99]; P=0.55). CONCLUSIONS Colchicine administered for 10 days following catheter ablation did not reduce atrial arrhythmia recurrence or AF-associated clinical events, but did reduce postablation chest pain and increase diarrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander P Benz
- Population Health Research Institute (A.P.B., S.J.C., J.S., D.C., W.F.M., J.D.R., J.A.W., R.Z., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Germany (A.P.B.)
| | - Guy Amit
- Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (G.A., J.G.A.-V., S.D., J.D.R., J.A.W., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Stuart J Connolly
- Population Health Research Institute (A.P.B., S.J.C., J.S., D.C., W.F.M., J.D.R., J.A.W., R.Z., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jasrita Singh
- Population Health Research Institute (A.P.B., S.J.C., J.S., D.C., W.F.M., J.D.R., J.A.W., R.Z., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (G.A., J.G.A.-V., S.D., J.D.R., J.A.W., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Juan G Acosta-Vélez
- Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (G.A., J.G.A.-V., S.D., J.D.R., J.A.W., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - David Conen
- Population Health Research Institute (A.P.B., S.J.C., J.S., D.C., W.F.M., J.D.R., J.A.W., R.Z., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Bishoy Deif
- Royal Victoria Hospital, Barrie, ON, Canada (B.D.)
| | - Syamkumar Divakaramenon
- Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (G.A., J.G.A.-V., S.D., J.D.R., J.A.W., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - William F McIntyre
- Population Health Research Institute (A.P.B., S.J.C., J.S., D.C., W.F.M., J.D.R., J.A.W., R.Z., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Viwe Mtwesi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa (V.M.)
| | - Jason D Roberts
- Population Health Research Institute (A.P.B., S.J.C., J.S., D.C., W.F.M., J.D.R., J.A.W., R.Z., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (G.A., J.G.A.-V., S.D., J.D.R., J.A.W., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jorge A Wong
- Population Health Research Institute (A.P.B., S.J.C., J.S., D.C., W.F.M., J.D.R., J.A.W., R.Z., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (G.A., J.G.A.-V., S.D., J.D.R., J.A.W., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Robin Zhao
- Population Health Research Institute (A.P.B., S.J.C., J.S., D.C., W.F.M., J.D.R., J.A.W., R.Z., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jeff S Healey
- Population Health Research Institute (A.P.B., S.J.C., J.S., D.C., W.F.M., J.D.R., J.A.W., R.Z., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (G.A., J.G.A.-V., S.D., J.D.R., J.A.W., J.S.H.), Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Tang LYW, Hawkins NM, Ho K, Tam R, Deyell MW, Macle L, Verma A, Khairy P, Sheldon R, Andrade JG. Autonomic Alterations After Pulmonary Vein Isolation in the CIRCA-DOSE (Cryoballoon vs Irrigated Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation) Study. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e018610. [PMID: 33634706 PMCID: PMC8174287 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.018610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background The natural history of autonomic alterations following catheter ablation of drug‐refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is poorly defined, largely because of the historical reliance on non‐invasive intermittent rhythm monitoring for outcome ascertainment. Methods and Results The study included 346 patients with drug‐refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation undergoing pulmonary vein isolation using contemporary advanced‐generation ablation technologies. All patients underwent insertion of a Reveal LINQ (Medtronic) implantable cardiac monitor before ablation. The implantable cardiac monitor continuously recorded physical activity, heart rate variability (measured as the SD of the average normal‐to‐normal), daytime heart rate, and nighttime heart rate. Longitudinal autonomic data in the 2‐month period leading up to the date of ablation were compared with the period from 91 to 365 days following ablation. Following ablation there was a significant decrease in SD of the average normal‐to‐normal (mean difference versus baseline of 19.3 ms; range, 12.9–25.7; P<0.0001), and significant increases in daytime and nighttime heart rates (mean difference versus baseline of 9.6 bpm; range, 7.4–11.8; P<0.0001, and 7.4 bpm; range, 5.4–9.3; P<0.0001, respectively). Patients free of arrhythmia recurrence had significantly faster daytime (11±11 versus 8±12 bpm, P=0.001) and nighttime heart rates (8±9 versus 6±8 bpm, P=0.049), but no difference in SD of the average normal‐to‐normal (P=0.09) compared with those with atrial fibrillation recurrence. Ablation technology and cryoablation duration did not influence these autonomic nervous system effects. Conclusions Pulmonary vein isolation results in significant sustained changes in the heart rate parameters related to autonomic function. These changes are correlated with procedural outcome and are independent of the ablation technology used. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01913522.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Y W Tang
- Data Science Institute University of British Columbia Vancouver Canada
| | - Nathaniel M Hawkins
- Center for Cardiovascular Innovation Vancouver Canada.,Department of Medicine University of British Columbia Vancouver Canada
| | - Kendall Ho
- Data Science Institute University of British Columbia Vancouver Canada.,Department of Emergency Medicine University of British Columbia Vancouver Canada
| | - Roger Tam
- Data Science Institute University of British Columbia Vancouver Canada.,Department of Radiology University of British Columbia Vancouver Canada.,School of Biomedical Engineering University of British Columbia Vancouver Canada
| | - Marc W Deyell
- Center for Cardiovascular Innovation Vancouver Canada.,Department of Medicine University of British Columbia Vancouver Canada
| | - Laurent Macle
- Department of Medicine Montreal Heart InstituteUniversité de Montréal Canada
| | - Atul Verma
- Southlake Regional Health Centre Newmarket Canada
| | - Paul Khairy
- Department of Medicine Montreal Heart InstituteUniversité de Montréal Canada
| | - Robert Sheldon
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta University of Calgary Alberta Canada
| | - Jason G Andrade
- Center for Cardiovascular Innovation Vancouver Canada.,Department of Medicine University of British Columbia Vancouver Canada.,Department of Medicine Montreal Heart InstituteUniversité de Montréal Canada
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Andrade JG, Deyell MW, Verma A, Macle L, Champagne J, Leong-Sit P, Novak P, Badra-Verdu M, Sapp J, Khairy P, Nattel S. Association of Atrial Fibrillation Episode Duration With Arrhythmia Recurrence Following Ablation: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e208748. [PMID: 32614422 PMCID: PMC7333024 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.8748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Contemporary guidelines recommend that atrial fibrillation (AF) be classified based on episode duration, with these categories forming the basis of therapeutic recommendations. While pragmatic, these classifications are not based on pathophysiologic processes and may not reflect clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of baseline AF episode duration with post-AF ablation arrhythmia outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The current study is a secondary analysis of a prospective, parallel-group, multicenter, single-masked randomized clinical trial (the Cryoballoon vs Irrigated Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation: Double Short vs Standard Exposure Duration [CIRCA-DOSE] study), which took place at 8 Canadian centers. Between September 2014 and July 2017, 346 patients older than 18 years with symptomatic AF referred for first catheter ablation were enrolled. All patients received an implantable cardiac monitor at least 30 days before ablation. Data analysis was performed in September 2019. EXPOSURE Before ablation, patients were classified based on their longest AF episode. Ablation consisted of circumferential pulmonary vein isolation using standard techniques. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Time to first recurrence of symptomatic or asymptomatic atrial tachyarrhythmia (AF, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia) following ablation and AF burden (percentage of time in AF) on preablation and postablation continuous rhythm monitoring. RESULTS The study included 346 patients (mean [SD] age, 59 [10] years; 231 [67.7%] men). Overall, 263 patients (76.0%) had AF episode duration of less than 24 hours; 25 (7.2%), 24 to 48 hours; 40 (11.7%), 2 to 7 days; and 18 (5.2%), more than 7 days. Documented recurrence of any atrial tachyarrhythmia following ablation was significantly lower in patients with baseline AF episode duration of less than 24 continuous hours compared with those with longer AF episodes (24 hours vs 24-48 hours: hazard ratio [HR], 0.41; 95% CI, 0.21-0.80; P = .009; 24 hours vs 2-7 days: HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.14-0.45; P < .001; 24 hours vs >7 days: HR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.09-0.55; P < .001). Patients with preablation AF episodes limited to less than 24 continuous hours had a significantly lower median (interquartile range) postablation AF burden (0% [0%-0.1%]) compared with those with AF preablation episodes lasting 2-7 days (0.1% [0%-1.0%]; P = .003) and those with AF preablation episodes lasting more than 7 days (1.0% [0%-5.4%]; P = .008). There was no significant difference in arrhythmia recurrence or AF burden between the 3 groups with a baseline AF episode duration of longer than 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, patients with AF episodes limited to less than 24 continuous hours had a significantly lower incidence of arrhythmia recurrence following AF ablation. This suggests that current guidelines for classification of AF may not reflect clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01913522.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason G Andrade
- Montreal Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Center for Cardiovascular Innovation, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marc W Deyell
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Center for Cardiovascular Innovation, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Atul Verma
- Southlake Regional Health Center, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laurent Macle
- Montreal Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | - Paul Novak
- Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - John Sapp
- Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Paul Khairy
- Montreal Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Stanley Nattel
- Montreal Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
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Andrade JG, Deyell MW, Verma A, Macle L, Khairy P. The Cryoballoon vs Irrigated Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation (CIRCA-DOSE) Study Results in Context. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2020; 9:34-39. [PMID: 32637118 PMCID: PMC7330729 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2019.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cryoballoon vs Irrigated Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation: Double Short vs Standard Exposure Duration (CIRCA-DOSE) study was a multicentre, randomised, single-blinded trial that compared contact-force radiofrequency ablation and two different regimens of cryoballoon ablation. All patients received an implantable cardiac monitor for the purpose of continuous rhythm monitoring, with all arrhythmia events undergoing independent adjudication by a committee blinded to treatment allocation. The study demonstrated there were no significant differences between contact-force radiofrequency ablation and cryoballoon ablation with respect to recurrence of any atrial tachyarrhythmia, symptomatic atrial tachyarrhythmia, asymptomatic AF, symptomatic AF or AF burden. While the results of the CIRCA-DOSE study are reviewed here, this article focuses on considerations around the design of the study and places the observed outcomes in context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason G Andrade
- Montreal Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada.,Heart Rhythm Services, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marc W Deyell
- Heart Rhythm Services, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Atul Verma
- Southlake Regional Health Center, Newmarket, Canada
| | - Laurent Macle
- Montreal Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Paul Khairy
- Montreal Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
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Real-world safety of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation with contact force or cryoballoon ablation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2020; 60:445-452. [PMID: 32390061 PMCID: PMC8134302 DOI: 10.1007/s10840-020-00734-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Real-world data can help medical administrators, physicians, and payers make evidence-based decisions regarding treatment choices. The objective of this study was to compare real-world safety outcomes with the latest catheter technologies used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods The Vizient Health Systems database, a large US hospital database, was used to compare acute complications in AF ablation with the contact force sensing THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH® Catheter or the THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH® SF Catheter (ST) versus the second-generation Arctic Front Advance™ Cryoablation Catheter (CB2) between September 2015 and June 2017. The primary outcome was a composite safety endpoint of acute ablation-related complications defined via ICD-10 diagnosis and procedure codes, including tamponade and other pericardial events, respiratory complications, stroke, cerebral or pre-cerebral occlusion/stenosis without infarction, vascular access complications, hemorrhage, phrenic nerve injury, myocardial infarction, and pulmonary embolism. Results In total, 1473 ablations met all inclusion criteria (407 ST, 1066 CB2). Ablations for paroxysmal AF (PAF) had a lower complication rate than ablations for persistent AF (PsAF) (6.1% vs. 7.3%), as did ablations with ST compared with CB2 within each AF type (PAF 6.0% vs. 6.1%, PsAF 6.3% vs. 7.8%). Neither ablation catheter nor AF type was statistically significant after controlling for site volume, patient age, and comorbid conditions (ST vs. CB2: OR 0.86, p = 0.5544; PsAF vs. PAF: OR 1.08, p = 0.7376). Conclusion Acute ablation-related complication rates were low and were not significantly associated with catheter technology. Increased risk of complication was attributable to low-volume sites and baseline patient characteristics.
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