Patient perspectives on same-day discharge following catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: results from the FAST AFA trial

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): This study was financially supported by Biosense Webster. Introduction Same-day discharge (SDD) protocols following catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) were already introduced in selected facilities in Europe but a widespread implementation has not yet succeeded. Data on patients’ perspectives to support early discharge regimens is lacking. Therefore, we conducted a survey to address patients’ beliefs towards SDD and identify variables that are associated with their evaluation. Methods As a part of the prospective, monocentric FAST AFA trial, patients aged ≥20 years undergoing a left atrial CA for AF or atrial flutter were asked to participate in the survey consisting of a study-specific SDD-questionnaire, the AF knowledge scale and pre-defined patient reported outcome measures. The study cohort was stratified based on SDD willingness and a logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors for patients’ valuation. Results Between 07/26/2021-07/01/2022, 256 of 376 screened patients consented to study participation of whom 248 (median age 61.8 years, 33.9% female) completed the SDD survey. Of them, 50.0% were willing to have SDD concepts integrated into their clinical course with increased patient comfort (27.5%), shorter waiting times (14.6%) and a cost-efficient treatment (14.0%) being imaginable benefits. In contrast, 52.2% of patients saw no advantages in SDD and expressed concerns including uncertainties with occurring complaints (50.6%), as well as the insufficient recognition (47.8%) and treatment (48.9%) of complications. Symptoms at baseline and inpatient treatments within the preceding year were predictors for SDD willingness whereas comorbidity burden or AF knowledge were not. Conclusion We provide a detailed survey expressing patients’ beliefs towards SDD following left atrial CA. Our findings may facilitate adequate patient selection to improve the future implementation of SDD programs in suitable cohorts.