Nilay Kumar, MD, clinical assistant professor, Hospital Medicine, was awarded a Young Investigator Database Seed Grant from the American Heart Association for a project entitled, "Patient Characteristics, Care Patterns and Outcomes of Atrial Fibrillation Associated Hospitalizations in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Renal Disease."

The award funds data analyses performed at the Duke Clinical Research Institute and a travel award to present the work at a scientific meeting.

The incidence, prevalence and hospitalization rates for atrial fibrillation (AFib) are several-fold higher for people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) compared to the general population. AFib is a quivering or irregular heart rhythm that can cause blood clots, strokes, or other heart-related complications. 

Using data from hospitals participating in a quality improvement program from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association designed to promote evidence-based treatment of atrial fibrillation, Dr. Kumar's study will investigate care patterns and outcomes for patients with CKD or ESRD who are hospitalized for atrial fibrillation.

The study will also look at variations in how hospitals use rhythm control therapies and prescribe blood clot prevention drugs or methods for patients with CKD or ERSD and AFib upon being discharged from the hospital.

Photo (top): lead placement for an electrocardiogram. Public domain image courtesy of US Army Medical Department