Acute treatment of atrial fibrillation: spontaneous conversion rates and cost of care

J T Dell'Orfano; H Patel; D L Wolbrette; J C Luck; G V Naccarelli

doi:10.1016/s0002-9149(98)00993-x

Acute treatment of atrial fibrillation: spontaneous conversion rates and cost of care

Am J Cardiol. 1999 Mar 1;83(5):788-90, A10. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9149(98)00993-x.

Authors

J T Dell'Orfano¹, H Patel, D L Wolbrette, J C Luck, G V Naccarelli

Affiliation

¹ Cardiovascular Center, Penn State University College of Medicine, M.S. Hershey Medical Center, 17033, USA.

PMID: 10080441
DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9149(98)00993-x

Abstract

Acute treatment of atrial fibrillation is costly although spontaneous conversion rates are high. We reviewed 114 patients admitted to our inpatient service via the emergency department with a principal diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and found the spontaneous conversion rate was 50% in 48 hours, the average length of stay was 3.9 +/- 5.2 days, and the average cost was $6,692 +/- $4,928.

MeSH terms

Aged
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / economics
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use
Atrial Fibrillation / economics
Atrial Fibrillation / therapy*
Electric Countershock / economics
Emergency Service, Hospital / economics
Female
Health Care Costs
Heart Rate / physiology
Hospital Charges
Hospitalization / economics
Humans
Length of Stay / economics
Male
Patient Discharge
Remission, Spontaneous
Retrospective Studies
Time Factors

Substances

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents