Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39230873›Full record

ArticleEuropace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology2024

Disparities in the access to atrial fibrillation ablation in Denmark: who gets ablated, who neglected?

Christopher R Zörner, Jacob Tønnesen, Lise Da Riis-Vestergaard, Charlotte Middelfart, Regitze Hein, Peter Vibe Rasmussen, Martin H Ruwald, Gunnar Gislason, Morten Lock Hansen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Diversity, equity, and inclusion in arrhythmia care: a European Heart Rhythm Association survey.Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology · 2026
    Article
  2. Observational
  3. Relationship between atrial fibrillation ablation and gross domestic product across Europe.Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology · 2026
    Article
  4. PULSE survey: Population Survey on Knowledge, Gaps and Perception of Heart Rhythm disorders-an initiative of the Scientific Initiatives Committee of the European Heart Rhythm Association.Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology · 2025
    Article
  5. The crucial importance of preventive and cardiac rehabilitation programmes in patients with atrial fibrillation: AF-CARE units.Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Christopher R ZörnerDepartment of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-8374-4202
Jacob TønnesenDepartment of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0003-2645-0774
Lise Da Riis-VestergaardDepartment of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-0345-4345
Charlotte MiddelfartDepartment of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark.ORCID 0009-0001-6763-3991
Regitze HeinDepartment of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark.ORCID 0009-0008-0928-5547
Peter Vibe RasmussenDepartment of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-4593-3854
Martin H RuwaldDepartment of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-1541-309X
Gunnar GislasonDepartment of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-0548-402X
Morten Lock HansenDepartment of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 6, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark.

Funding

Biosense Webster IIS-687
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimsAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia associated with reduced quality of life that can lead to serious complications such as stroke and heart failure. Ablation is a safe and effective treatment for AF but is not offered equally to all patients. The aim of this study is to identify demographic groups more or less likely to undergo AF ablation. METHODS AND

resultsAll patients with newly diagnosed AF between 2010 and 2018 were identified in the Danish nationwide registries. The association between gender, age, level of education and attachment to the job market, and the likelihood of receiving AF ablation was investigated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis. Cumulative incidence was calculated using the Aalen-Johansen estimator. A total of 176 248 patients were included. Men were more likely to receive ablation than women (7% vs. 3%). Patients aged 25-44 and 45-64 were most likely to receive ablation, while only 0.7% of patients aged 80 or above received ablation. The rate of ablation significantly decreased with decreasing level of education. Full-time employed patients were most likely to receive ablation, followed by self-employed, unemployed, on sick leave, undergoing education, and early retired patients. Retired patients were the least likely to receive ablation (3%).

conclusionThis study found that women, older patients, patients with lower levels of education, and patients on social benefits are less likely to receive AF ablation. These findings suggest that there are significant social and economic disparities in AF ablation treatment in Denmark.

Indexed as

Atrial FibrillationCatheter AblationEducational StatusHealthcare DisparitiesRegistriesAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAge FactorsDenmarkEmploymentFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHumansMaleMiddle AgedAblationAtrial fibrillationDenmarkDisparityHealthcare access

Identifiers

PMID39230873
PMCPMC11411207

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.