Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation showed similar 1-year arrhythmia recurrence rates between women and men (30% vs 27.7%; p=0.38) and similar procedural complication rates.
Cohort
Does female sex compared to male sex affect arrhythmia recurrence and procedural complications in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation?
Despite women having higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores and trying more antiarrhythmic drugs prior to ablation, there were no significant sex-based differences in 1-year arrhythmia recurrence or procedural complications following catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.
Absolute Event Rate: 30% vs 27.7%
p-value: p=.38
BACKGROUND: Studies have identified significant sex-based differences and disparities in the clinical presentation and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Studies have shown women are less likely to be referred for catheter ablation, are older at the time of ablation, and are more likely to have recurrence after ablation. However, in most studies investigating AF ablation outcomes, the female cohorts were relatively small. The impact of sex on the outcome and safety of ablation procedures is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate sex-based differences in outcomes and complications after AF catheter ablation, with a significant female cohort METHOD: In this retrospective study, patients undergoing AF ablation from January 1, 2014, to March 31, 2021, were included. We investigated clinical characteristics, duration and progression of AF, number of EP appointments from diagnosis to ablation, procedural data, and procedure complications. RESULTS: -VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age, diabetes, stroke, vascular disease, sex category) scores (3 vs. 2; p < .001) than men, expectedly, as the female sex warrants an additional point. 25.3% female patients had PersAF at the time of diagnosis versus 35.3% male patients (p < .001). At the time of ablation, 31.8% female patients had PersAF as compared to 43.1% male patients (p < .001), indicating progression of PAF to PersAF in both sexes. Women tried more AADs than men before ablation (1.13 vs. 0.98; p = .002). Male and female patients had no statistically significant difference in (a) arrhythmia recurrence at 1-year post ablation (27.7% vs. 30%; p = .38) or (b) procedural complication rate (1.8% vs. 3.1%; p = .56). CONCLUSION: -VASc scores compared to males at the time of AF ablation. Women tried more AADs than men before ablation. One-year arrhythmia recurrence rates and procedural complications were similar in both sexes. No sex-based differences were observed in safety and efficacy of ablation.
Yadav et al. (Tue,) conducted a cohort in Atrial fibrillation. Female sex (Catheter ablation) vs. Male sex was evaluated on Arrhythmia recurrence at 1-year post ablation (p=.38). Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation showed similar 1-year arrhythmia recurrence rates between women and men (30% vs 27.7%; p=0.38) and similar procedural complication rates.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: