%0 Journal Article %A A.A., Gehani %A M., Hammoudeh %T Abstracts From Other Journals %D 2010 %J Qatar Medical Journal, %V 2010 %N 2 %@ 2227-0426 %C 25 %R https://doi.org/10.5339/qmj.2010.2.25 %I Hamad bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press), %X Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate adherence to national guidelines on the non-pharmacologic (ablative) treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and Results: This prospective, observational, transversal study enrolled 1256 consecutive inpatients and outpatients referred to 43 Cardiology Departments between 1 and 31 October 2008 for the management of AF as a primary diagnosis. A rhythm-control strategy (cardioversion, antiarrhythmic medication, pace-maker implantation, substrate ablation, alone or in combination) was prescribed in 865 (69%) of the patients and a rate-control strategy [drugs, atrioventricular junction ablation and pace-maker implantation (Ablate and Pace) in 285 (23%). Specifically, substrate catheter ablation was indicated by the attending cardiologist in 187 (14.9%) patients and Ablate and Pace in 29 (2.3%). According to guideline indications, substrate catheter ablation would have been indicated in 183 (14.6%) patients, but only 105 (57%) of these were correctly identified by the attending cardiologist (K statistics for agreement for indications 0.49). Atrioventricular junction ablation and pace-maker implantation would have been indicated in 108 (8.6%) patients, but only 29 (27%) of these were correctly identified by the attending cardiologist (K statistics for agreement for indications 0.06). Conclusion: About a quarter of patients referred to cardiology departments for AF management have potential indications for non-pharmacological treatment according to the guidelines. Substrate catheter ablation was offered by the attending cardiologist in a percentage similar to that expected, but concordance with guideline indications was moderate. Atrioventricular junction ablation and pace-maker implantation was largely underused. %U https://www.qscience.com/content/journals/10.5339/qmj.2010.2.25