News release

From: New Zealand Medical Journal (NZMJ)

Variation in the use of electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation/flutter according to sex and ethnicity in Aotearoa New Zealand

This study looked at how patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (common heart-rhythm problems that increase the risk of stroke), are treated in routine clinical practice. We found that patients were more likely to receive procedures to restore a normal heart rhythm if they were younger, male and had fewer other health conditions. We also found that Māori, Pacific peoples and other non-European groups were less likely to receive these procedures compared with European patients, even after accounting for differences in health. Among those who did receive treatment, there were no differences in the type of procedure used between groups. These findings suggest that differences in access to care may influence how patients are treated and highlight the need to better understand and address potential inequities.