Cardiac Catheterization in American Indian/Alaska Native Populations: Empowering Communities, Providers, and Systems...

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) people face numerous health disparities, including alarming rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. These inequities are closely tied to unique social, political, and economic circumstances due to the ongoing consequences of systemic racism. Although poorly described, these cardiovascular inequities extend to adult and pediatric interventional cardiology. AI/AN adults are less likely to undergo cardiac catheterization and are more likely to experience complications. There are no published studies on pediatric interventional cardiology outcomes in AI/AN children. The scarcity of available data underscores the need for novel studies to investigate the epidemiology, sociodemographic associations, and outcomes of AI/AN adults and children who require cardiac catheterization. Additionally, interventions addressing the geographic and social barriers to care require thoughtfulness and cultural sensitivity. Equity in interventional cardiology for AI/AN people may be best achieved through partnerships among tribes, health care providers, industry, health systems, and regulatory bodies, as well as accurate data collection. A concerted effort is required to meet the needs of this vulnerable population.