Our study noted a decline in AF ablation-related hospitalizations and complications associated with the procedure. These findings largely reflect shifting trends of outpatient performance of the procedure and increasing safety profile due to improved institutional expertise and catheter techniques.

Religiosity is a factor involved in the management of health and diseases/patient longevity. This review article uses comprehensive, evidence-based studies to evaluate the nature of religiosity that can be used in clinical studies, thus avoiding contradictory reports which arise from misinterpretation of religiosity. We conclude that religiosity is multidimensional in nature and ultimately associated with inherent protection against diseases and overall better quality of life. However, a number of untouched aspects of religiosity need to be investigated further before we can introduce religiosity in its fully functional form to the realm of health care.

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BackgroundReducing readmission after catheter ablation (CA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) is important.Methods and ResultsWe utilized National Readmission Data (NRD) 2010–2014. AF was identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) diagnostic code 427.31 in the primary field, while first CA of AF was identified via ICD‐9‐procedure code 37.34. Any admission within 30 or 90 days of index admission was considered a readmission. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to adjust for confounders. The primary outcomes were 30‐ and 90‐day readmissions and the secondary outcome was AF recurrence. In total, 1 128 372 patients with AF were identified from January 1, 2010 to September 30, 2014. Of which 37 360 (3.3%) underwent CA. Patients aged ≥65 years and female sex were less likely to receive CA for AF. Overall, 10.9% and 16.5% of CA patients were readmitted within 30 and 90 days post‐CA, respectively. Most common causes of readmissions were arrhythmia (AF, atrial flutter), heart failure, pulmonary causes (pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and bleeding complications (gastrointestinal bleed, intracranial hemorrhage). Patients with diabetes mellitus, heart failure, coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic pulmonary and kidney disease, prior stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), female sex, length of stay ≥2 and disposition to the facility were prone to higher 30‐ and 90‐day readmissions post‐CA. Predictors of increase in AF recurrence post‐CA were female sex, diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary disease, and length of stay ≥2. Trends of 90‐day readmission and AF recurrence were found to improve over the study period.ConclusionsWe identified several demographic and clinical factors associated with the use of CA in AF, and short‐term outcomes of the same, which could potentially help in the patient selection and improve outcomes.

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia worldwide. Data regarding 30‐day readmission rates after discharge for atrial fibrillation remain poorly reported.Methods and ResultsThe Nationwide Readmission Database (2010–2014) was queried using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD‐9) codes to identify study population. Incidence, etiologies of 30‐day readmission and predictors of 30‐day readmissions, and cost of care were analyzed. Among 1 723 378 patients who survived to discharge, 249 343 (14.4%) patients were readmitted within 30 days. Compared with the readmitted group, the nonreadmitted group had higher utilization of electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation. Atrial fibrillation was the most common cause of readmission (24.1%). Median time to 30‐day readmission was 13 days. Advancing age, female sex, and longer stay during index hospitalization predicted higher 30‐day readmissions, whereas private insurance, electrical cardioversion, catheter ablation, higher income, and elective admissions correlated with lower 30‐day readmission. Comorbidities such as heart failure, neurological disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver failure, coagulopathy, anemia, peripheral vascular disease, and electrolyte disturbance, correlated with increased 30‐day readmissions and cost burden. Trend analysis showed a progressive decline in 30‐day readmission rates from 14.7% in 2010 to 14.3% in 2014 (P trend, <0.001).ConclusionsApproximately 1 in 7 patients were readmitted within 30 days of discharge, with symptomatic atrial fibrillation being the most common cause. We identified a predictive model for increased risk of readmissions and treatment expense. Electrical cardioversion during index admission was associated with a significant reduction in 30‐day readmissions and service charges. The 30‐day readmissions correlated with a substantial rise in the cost of care.