Sex, Race, and Rural-Urban Disparities in Ventricular Tachycardia Ablations
Amber B Tang1, Olumuyiwa P Akinrimisi2, Boback Ziaeian3
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
JACC. Clinical Electrophysiology
|August 8, 2024
Summary
Patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) who were female, Black, or treated at rural hospitals had lower odds of receiving VT ablation. This highlights significant disparities in ablation delivery, impacting patient outcomes and care equity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Health Disparities
- Medical Interventions
Background:
- Ventricular ablation is a key treatment for recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT), reducing recurrence risk and morbidity.
- However, existing disparities in accessing this procedure remain under-characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential disparities in the utilization of ventricular ablation among patients hospitalized with VT.
- To identify demographic and hospital-related factors associated with receiving VT ablation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database for 2019 to analyze patients hospitalized with VT.
- Employed multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for VT ablation based on patient demographics and hospital characteristics.
Main Results:
- Female and Black patients with VT showed significantly lower odds of receiving ablation compared to male and White patients, respectively.
- Patients treated at rural or non-teaching hospitals were less likely to undergo ablation compared to those at urban, teaching facilities.
- No significant disparities were observed based on income or insurance status in adjusted analyses.
Conclusions:
- Significant disparities exist in the delivery of ventricular ablation for VT patients.
- Female sex, Black race, and treatment at rural or non-teaching hospitals are associated with reduced likelihood of receiving VT ablation during hospitalization.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
924
Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow...
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow...
924
01:28Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
908
Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms occurring when the heart's electrical impulses become abnormal. These disturbances can lead to various symptoms, depending on their severity and the underlying cause. Some common factors contributing to arrhythmias include hypoxia, ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, excessive catecholamine exposure, drug toxicity, and muscle overstretching. Arrhythmias can be classified into two main types based on the rate and site of origin of abnormal heart rhythms.
908
01:16ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias I: Sinus Arrhythmias
203
Arrhythmias are disturbances in the heart's rhythm that lead to abnormal heartbeats. These irregularities can originate from different parts of the heart and are classified based on their origin and nature.
Types of Arrhythmias
Sinus Node Arrhythmias
Sinus Bradycardia: Originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node, sinus bradycardia involves slower impulses, resulting in a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute (bpm). Causes include sleep, vagal stimulation, beta-blockers, hypothyroidism,...
Types of Arrhythmias
Sinus Node Arrhythmias
Sinus Bradycardia: Originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node, sinus bradycardia involves slower impulses, resulting in a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute (bpm). Causes include sleep, vagal stimulation, beta-blockers, hypothyroidism,...
203