National trends of acute pericarditis post-atrial fibrillation ablation

Atrial fibrillation ablation increased over the last two decades by its high success rate. However, the trend of inpatient adverse outcomes is limited. The aim of this study to examine the frequency and predictors of acute pericarditis resulting from catheter ablation.

Using the National Inpatient Sample, we identified all patients who underwent AF ablation. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed for the primary outcome of in-hospital acute pericarditis post-AF ablation. Variance-weighted regression has been used to test for linear and curvilinear trends in disease characteristics and outcomes over time.

From 2002 to 2014, our study included 122,993 patients, acute pericarditis was found in 984 (0.8%) patients who underwent AF ablation. The trend of acute pericarditis showed inconsistent fluctuation leaning towards reduction over the years. Multivariate analysis showed that patients of female gender are at a 40% higher risk of acute pericarditis post-ablation compared with males. Additionally, obese patients have a 40% higher risk of developing acute pericarditis compared with patients who have BMI < 30. Furthermore, anaemia and rheumatoid arthritis have the odds ratio (OR: 2.63; 95% [CI] 2.04-3.39) and (OR: 1.64; 95% [CI] 1.08-2.48).

Post-AF ablation, in-hospital acute pericarditis showed inconsistent fluctuation leaning towards reduction. Female gender and obesity are at higher risk for developing acute pericarditis post-AF ablations. Proper evaluation might alter those complications.