What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Task shifting in cardiac ablations and percutaneous coronary interventions (n=51). Intervention: Cardiac ablations vs. Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). Primary outcome: Engagement rate as second operators (p=<0.001).

What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to clarify the status of task shifting for arrhythmia treatment compared to percutaneous coronary interventions in Japan.

April 10, 2026Open Access

Task Shifting in Cardiac Ablations Compared With Percutaneous Coronary Interventions　― The Japanese Circulation Society Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Survey Subanalysis ―

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

The engagement rate of non-physician staff as second operators was significantly lower for cardiac ablations compared with percutaneous coronary interventions (21.6% vs. 29.4%, P<0.001).

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to clarify the status of task shifting for arrhythmia treatment compared to percutaneous coronary interventions in Japan.

Key Result

The engagement rate of non-physician staff as second operators was significantly lower for cardiac ablations compared with percutaneous coronary interventions (21.6% vs. 29.4%, P<0.001).

Key Points

The study aims to clarify the status of task shifting for arrhythmia treatment compared to percutaneous coronary interventions in Japan.
Conducted a regional survey in Chugoku-Shikoku region of Japan.
Analyzed task shifting data for cardiac ablations and PCI.
Compared the roles of non-physician healthcare professionals in both procedures.
Identified the extent of task shifting in cardiac ablations.
Found that task shifting in arrhythmia treatment is less clear than in PCI.
Increased utilization of non-physician professionals in cardiac care was observed.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=51)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Population

Participants of the Japanese Circulation Society Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Survey

Intervention

Task shifting to non-physician healthcare professionals in cardiac ablations

Comparator

Task shifting in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI)

Outcome

Status of task shifting in arrhythmia treatment

This survey subanalysis investigates the current status of task shifting to non-physician healthcare professionals in arrhythmia treatment compared to PCI in Japan.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 21.6% vs 29.4%

p-value: p=<0.001

Limitations

This study included only facilities in a regional area, and the results may be subject to regional bias.

Abstract

Background: As part of work-style reform for physicians, task shifting to non-physician healthcare professionals has been promoted in Japan. We previously reported task shifting results for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), but the status in arrhythmia treatment remains unclear.

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