We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Healthcare Utilization and Expenditures in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Treated with Catheter Ablation.
- Authors
LADAPO, JOSEPH A.; DAVID, GUY; GUNNARSSON, CANDACE L.; HAO, STEVEN C.; WHITE, SARAH A.; MARCH, JAMIE L.; REYNOLDS, MATTHEW R.
- Abstract
Catheter Ablation in AF Patients, Including Age 65+, Reduces Utilization. Aim: The aim was to estimate the impact of catheter ablation on short- and long-term healthcare utilization and expenditures among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in general and Medicare populations. Methods: Data were analyzed from The MarketScan® Databases. MarketScan data contain deidentified patient-level records from employer-sponsored and public health insurance plans. Multivariable regression models for utilization and expenditures were built for all patients, with subanalyses performed for patients ≥65 years. Results were compared to preablation figures and reported for 5 time groups, based on duration of available postablation follow-up: 6-12 months; 12-18 months; 18-24 months; 24-30 months; and 30-36 months. Results: A total of 3,194 patients were identified who had undergone catheter ablation for treatment of AF, had continuous enrollment in the database 6 months prior to first ablation, and had at least 1-year follow-up postablation. Compared to the 6 months prior to ablation, there were significant reductions in the number of outpatient appointments, inpatient days, and emergency room visits in the total study population and in the subset ≥65 years. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.01) decrease in total healthcare expenditures across 4 of the 5 6-month time periods, with annual savings ranging from $3,300 to $9,200. For patients ≥65 years, annual savings ranged from $3,200 to $9,200. Drug utilization also significantly declined (P < 0.01), with average annual medication savings ranging from $670 to $890, and from $740 to $880 for patients ≥65 years. Conclusion: Catheter ablation for AF reduced healthcare utilization and expenditures up to 3 years postablation. This reduction was consistent, significant, and had implications for general and Medicare populations. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1-8, January 2012)
- Subjects
UNITED States; ATRIAL fibrillation; CATHETER ablation; COST control; DRUG utilization; LENGTH of stay in hospitals; HOSPITAL emergency services; OUTPATIENT services in hospitals; MEDICAL databases; INFORMATION storage &; retrieval systems; HEALTH insurance; LONGITUDINAL method; MANAGED care programs; MEDICAL care use; MEDICAL care costs; MEDICARE; HEALTH outcome assessment; RESEARCH funding; COMORBIDITY; PHARMACY; MULTIPLE regression analysis; TREATMENT effectiveness; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; ECONOMICS
- Publication
Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 2012, Vol 23, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
1045-3873
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1540-8167.2011.02130.x