Transitions in Atrial Fibrillation Care: A Systematic Review

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly transition between care settings and providers. These transitions are often points in the health care system where errors and clinical deterioration can occur. Anticoagulation interruption or discontinuation and sub-optimal follow-up post-emergency department (ED) discharge are considered major transitional issues.

The purpose of this study was to synthesise the evidence examining the impact of transitional care interventions on patient, provider, and health care utilisation outcomes.

This systematic mixed studies review examined citations from four databases Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL) using relevant search terms. Fourteen (14) moderate to high quality articles were selected.

The available evidence reporting impacts of transitional interventions on health care utilisation, provider, and patient outcomes in AF patients is mixed and of variable quality. The stronger evidence revealed improvements in patient outcomes including knowledge, quality of life, and medication adherence and increased provider anticoagulant prescriptions resulting from transitional interventions. Hospital admissions and ED visits were not significantly affected by any interventions.

Apps and educational toolkits improved patient knowledge. Pathways increased patient quality of life and provider prescription rates. There is a need for more research to determine the AF transition interventions which maximise patient, provider and health care outcomes.