ArticleJournal of cardiovascular electrophysiology2026
Impact of On-Site Cardiothoracic Surgery Availability on Outcomes of Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in the United States.
Article in Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundCatheter ablation is an established rhythm control strategy for atrial fibrillation (AF) but carries a small risk of serious complications that may require emergent surgical intervention. Historically, the availability of on-site cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) has been considered an important safety requirement. However, contemporary advances in ablation techniques and peri-procedural care have improved procedural safety, and real-world data evaluating the impact of on-site CTS availability in current practice remain limited.
methodsWe analyzed the National Readmissions Database (NRD) from 2016 to 2021 to identify adults undergoing catheter ablation for AF. Hospitals were classified based on the presence of on-site CTS, defined by the performance of coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Baseline characteristics were compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between on-site CTS availability and in-hospital complications, mortality, discharge disposition, and 30-day all-cause readmissions, adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates.
resultsAmong 81 471 patients undergoing AF ablation, 3.3% were treated at centers without on-site CTS and 96.7% at centers with CTS. Patients treated at centers without CTS were older, more frequently female, and had a higher comorbidity burden, including greater thromboembolic risk. After multivariable adjustment, on-site CTS availability was not independently associated with in-hospital mortality, cardiac perforation, pericardiocentesis, need for open heart surgery, vascular, pulmonary, or neurological complications, discharge to home, or 30-day readmissions.
conclusionIn this large, contemporary national cohort, the availability of on-site cardiothoracic surgery was not independently associated with improved peri-procedural or short-term outcomes following AF ablation.
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