Abstract 12354: Patient-Reported Discordances in Atrial Fibrillation Care: Results From a Nationwide Survey Across Diverse Patient Populations

Abstract

Background: Adverse outcomes associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) including increased rates of stroke and mortality have been documented in Black patients compared to White patients. Research Question: What are key factors that contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in AF outcomes? Methods: This project aimed to identify underlying drivers of health disparities in AF management through patient surveys. Between February-March 2022, PRIME Education conducted a nationwide online survey in patients with AF through a collaboration with StopAfib.org. Results: Of the participants who completed the survey, 878 self-identified as non-Hispanic White and 37 as Black. Compared to White patients, Black patients had increased prevalence of co-morbidities (hypertension, 76% vs. 52%, P = 0.006 ; diabetes, 27% vs 8%; P < 0.001 ), increased hospitalizations due to AF-related causes (heart failure, 14% vs. 3%; P = 0.006 ), and more frequently experienced financial hardship affecting access to medical care (41% vs 17%, P = 0.001 ). Black patients were more likely to utilize primary care clinicians to manage AF compared to White patients (27% vs 5%, P < 0.05 ) and were less likely to have undergone procedural rhythm control strategies (catheter ablation, 19% vs. 45%, P = 0.002 ; electrical cardioversion, 14% vs. 39%, P = 0.002 ) (Fig. 1). Conclusion: Findings from this patient survey highlight several intervenable factors including improved treatment of co morbid medical conditions, economic stability, and healthcare utilization that may contribute to disparities in AF management between Black and White patients with AF.