Temporal trends of catheter ablation for patients with atrial fibrillation: A Korean nationwide population‐based study

INTRODUCTION: Catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is used as a treatment to restore and maintain sinus rhythm in patients with AF. However, limited data exist regarding the temporal trends of AF ablation in Asia. This study aimed to describe the temporal trends of CA for AF in Korean over 11 years.METHODS: The nationwide claims database in Korea was utilized. Patients underwent CA for AF were identified using combinations of diagnostic codes, claims history, and procedure codes. Comorbidities and complications were also identified, and their temporal trends were evaluated.RESULTS: The numbers of patients underwent CA for AF were observed to gradually increased over 11 years (452 patients in 2007 vs. 3035 patients in 2017). Mean age of the study population increased (55.4 in 2007-2010 vs. 58.9 in 2015-2017); and mean CHA2 DS2 -VASc score also increased (1.9 in 2007-2010 vs. 2.2 in 2015-2017). Risks of complications decreased during the study period but risks of all-cause deaths did not changed significantly. Older age, women, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, general anesthesia, and small procedure volume were independent predictors of complications but, only diabetes and occurrence of any complication were associated with mortality after CA.CONCLUSION: CA for AF has become an increasingly important treatment option. Although the proportion of high-risk patients increased, risks of complications decreased over time. Performing procedure without complications and prompt managements are essential to improve the outcome of the patients with AF underwent CA.