Does Computerized Decision-making Support Reduce AF-related Hospitalization?

In this interview, Jafna L. Cox, MD, talks with DocWire News about the results of the IMPACT-AF study, and about the challenges that physicians treating patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) may have in keeping updated with all of the necessary information needed for optimal treatment.

As previously reported by DocWire News, IMPACT-AF showed that online computerized decision support system had no effect on the number of patients experiencing an unplanned hospitalization for an AF-related ED visits. Researchers for this prospective study randomly assigned (1:1) individual primary care providers/group practices to either a clinical decision support system (n=597) or usual care (n=548). The composite study outcome of unplanned cardiovascular [CV] hospitalizations and AF-related ED visits over 1 year. The results showed no differences between study groups at one year for AF-related ED visits or unplanned CV hospitalization (primary and secondary efficacy outcomes) and made no difference in stroke or all-cause mortality. All associations were statistically insignificant. There was a signal towards improved outcomes, but it did not reach statistical significance.

Dr. Cox works out of the Health Sciences Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

To read DocWire News’ coverage of IMAPCT-AF, click here.

To watch Dr. Cox talk about how guidelines help make for consistent practice, click here.

For more DocWire News coverage of AHA 2018, click here.