Burden of arrhythmia and electrophysiologic procedures in alcoholic cardiomyopathy hospitalizations

Abstract

Background: Limited national US data are available regarding the prevalence of and trends in different arrhythmias and the use of electrophysiological procedures in patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (2007-2014). Hospitalizations of adults with alcoholic CMP were identified with the ICD-9 code (425.5). CAD and other causes of cardiomyopathy were excluded. Chi-square test, t-test, mixed-effect logistic regression and quantile regression were used.

Results: Among 75,430 hospitalizations, 48% had arrhythmias. Individuals with a co-diagnosis of arrhythmia tended to be older (56.9 vs 53.2-year-old) and male (89.5% vs 81.9%). The most prevalent arrhythmias were atrial fibrillation/flutter (31.5%), followed by ventricular tachycardia (7.9%). The prevalence of arrhythmias increased from 44% to 50% (2007-2014) (p < 0.001) and this increase was mainly secondary to the increasing prevalence AFib/AFL. Excluding cardiac arrest, arrhythmias were not associated with increased in-hospital mortality. The median length of stay and total charges for arrhythmia vs no-arrhythmia hospitalizations were 5 vs 4 days (p < 0.001) and $31,127 vs $24,199 respectively (p < 0.001). EP procedures were performed in 5.6% of all hospitalizations and it increased from 5.2% to 6% (2007-2014) (p = 0.2). The most common procedures were cardioversion (2.7%), ICD placement (2.2%) and PPM placement (1.1%).

Conclusion: Arrhythmias were reported in 48% of hospitalizations. There was an increasing burden of arrhythmias secondary to increasing atrial fibrillation. Excluding cardiac arrest, arrhythmias were not associated with increased in-hospital mortality but were associated with longer hospital stays and higher total charges.