Impact of gender on the management and prognosis of oesophageal fistula after atrial fibrillation ablation - a subanalysis of the worldwide POTTER-AF study
Multicenter registry study reveals distinct management patterns but comparable mortality across genders in post-ablation oesophageal fistula, suggesting sex-independent survival.
Key Points
Postprocedural mortality and overall sequelae are similar between genders following catheter ablation, although women receive more endoscopic treatment and fewer direct surgeries.
Mortality reached 63.6% in women and 67.2% in men with oesophageal fistula, while females had fewer atrioesophageal fistulas alongside higher stroke rates.
Analysis of registry records across 214 electrophysiological centres evaluated 117 patients with oesophageal fistula following ablation for atrial fibrillation.
Highlights that postprocedural survival is comparable between sexes, although disparate endoscopic treatment patterns call for tailored clinical management.