Trends in utilization and complications of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in Medicare beneficiaries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Utilization of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasing. Data regarding the safety of RFA for AF outside of selected centers of excellence and in older patients are limited.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to quantify utilization of RFA for treatment of AF and rates of adverse events over time in unselected U.S. Medicare patients.

Methods

Using Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) files for fiscal years 2001-2006, we developed a coding algorithm to identify AF patients treated with RFA. The number of hospitals performing the procedure, the number of procedures performed, and the frequency of eight RFA complications were determined. The impact of patient characteristics on complication r

SUBMITTER: Ellis ER 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2958775 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature