Global Health Inequities in Electrophysiology Care: A State-of-the-Art Review

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Global Health
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and bradyarrhythmias, present significant global health challenges.
• Disparities in diagnosis, management, and outcomes are evident across different global settings.
• Low- and middle-income countries face higher mortality rates due to numerous barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current disparities in cardiac arrhythmia care globally.
• To identify challenges in diagnosis, management, and outcomes in varying resource settings.
• To explore innovative approaches for improving arrhythmia care access.

Main Methods:

• State-of-the-art literature review.
• Analysis of global data on cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis, management, and outcomes.
• Examination of risk factors, infrastructure, and access to care in diverse settings.

Main Results:

• Higher mortality rates for arrhythmias in low- and middle-income countries are linked to risk factors, expertise gaps, infrastructure deficits, and access issues.
• Innovative strategies such as repurposed pacemakers, mobile clinics, digital technology, and training are under investigation.
• Diagnosis and access to care remain critical challenges in resource-limited environments.

Conclusions:

• Addressing global disparities in cardiac arrhythmia care requires tailored strategies for different resource settings.
• Innovative and accessible healthcare solutions are crucial for improving outcomes in underserved populations.
• Continued efforts are needed to expand access to diagnosis and treatment for all individuals with arrhythmias.