Profiling cardiac arrhythmia and heart failure patients in India: The Pan-arrhythmia and Heart Failure Observational Study

Indian Heart J. 2017 Mar-Apr;69(2):226-239. doi: 10.1016/j.ihj.2016.11.329. Epub 2017 Jan 24.

Abstract

Background: The PANARrhythMia and Heart Failure Registry (PANARM HF) characterized demographic, clinical and interventional therapy indication profiles of cardiac arrhythmia (CA) and heart failure (HF) patients in India.

Methods: Consulting Physicians (CP) who medically manage CA and HF patients enrolled patients with one or more of the following: syncope, pre-syncope, dyspnea, palpitation, fatigue and LV dysfunction. The CPs were trained by interventional cardiologists (IC) to identify CA/HF patients indicated for implantable device/radiofrequency ablation (RFA). 59 CP's, 16 IC's & 2205 patients from 12 cities participated. Demographic, clinical, device/RFA indication and referral-consultation profiles were created. IC's provided device/RFA recommendations based on these profiles.

Results: The CA/HF distribution of patients was: HF - 58%, bradyarrhythmia - 15%, atrial fibrillation - 15%, other supraventricular tachyarrhythmia - 10% and ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation - 4.5%. 62% of the CA/HF population was male and 45% were below age 60. Coronary artery disease (52%), hypertension (44%), diabetes (30%) & myocardial infarction (20%) were prominent. 1011 (46%) of the CA/HF population were potential device/RFA candidates according to the IC's. However, only 700 (69%) of these patients were referred to the IC by the CP. Of referred patients, only 177 (25%) consulted the IC and were recommended therapy. Thus, 824 (83%) of patients indicated for interventional therapy were not advised therapy or did not opt for it.

Conclusion: The India PANARM HF study provides new information and insights into the demographic, clinical, interventional therapy, referral and consultation pattern profiles of CA/HF patients in India.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Morbidity / trends
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment*
  • Survival Rate / trends