In heart failure (HF) patients, atrial fibrillation (AF) increased 90-day readmissions and ablation for AF in these patients was associated with reduced frequency and length of stay, of readmissions without increase in complication rates. The Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) 2013 was analyzed for all-cause 90-day readmissions, following discharge after HF exacerbation. Hazard rates were then compared for readmissions due to HF exacerbation, following recent ablation vs no ablation. Researchers found:

• There were 885,270 admissions for HF exacerbation of which 364,447 had coexisting AF.
• All-cause 90-day readmission rates were higher in HF patients with coexisting AF vs those without AF (41.4% vs 37.6%).
• Patients who underwent ablation vs patients who were discharged following HF exacerbation without ablation had lower rate of and length of stay (LOS) for the 90-day readmission episode, due to HF exacerbation (27.5% vs 41.4%, and 5.58 days vs 6.60 days, respectively).