Atrial Fibrillation in Young Patients: Insights From the National Inpatient Sample

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The hospitalization burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) in young patients (18-45 years) is not well understood.
• Existing research often overlooks the specific challenges and outcomes associated with AF in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the burden, comorbidities, outcomes, and resource utilization of AF hospitalizations in young patients.
• To identify trends and disparities in AF management within this age group.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of primary AF hospitalizations in patients aged 18-45 years.
• Utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2008 to 2019.
• Collected data on demographics, clinical features, socioeconomic status (SES), and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• AF hospitalizations declined from 18.7 to 13.0 per 100,000 population between 2008 and 2019.
• Hospitalizations were more prevalent in males and Black patients compared to other groups.
• Electrical cardioversion utilization increased, while catheter ablation decreased; both procedures showed significant disparities based on sex, ethnicity, and income.

Conclusions:

• Significant disparities exist in the inpatient management of atrial fibrillation among young adults based on sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
• These findings highlight the need for equitable healthcare strategies to address AF in younger populations.