Background: Ventricular ablation may be clinically indicated for patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) and has been shown to decrease risk of recurrence and overall morbidity. However, the existence of disparities among patients receiving ventricular ablation has not been well characterized.

Objectives: We examined patients hospitalized with VT to determine whether disparities exist among those receiving ablations. We used the National Inpatient Sample to assess patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis

Methods: of VT in 2019 who did and did not receive catheter ablations. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate risk factors for VT ablation based on age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and hospital characteristics.

Results: After adjusting for baseline characteristics and comorbidities, female and Black patients hospitalized with VT had significantly lower odds of receiving ablations compared to male and white patients, OR 0.835 (95% CI 0.699-0.997, p=0.047) and OR 0.617 (95% CI 0.457-0.832, p=0.002) respectively. Additionally, patients at rural or non-teaching hospitals were significantly less likely to receive ablations compared to those at urban, teaching hospitals. No significant differences were noted based on income or insurance status in the adjusted models.

Conclusions: We identified significant disparities in the delivery of ventricular ablations among patients hospitalized with VT. Overall, patients who were female or Black as well as those hospitalized at rural or non-teaching hospitals were significantly less likely to receive VT ablations during hospitalization.

Editor-in-Chief
Kalyanam Shivkumar, MD, PhD, FACC
 
CME Editor
Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD, FACC

Author
Mahmoud Houmsse, MD FACC


Important Dates
Date of Release: October 28, 2024
Term of Approval/Date of CME/MOC Expiration: October 27, 2025