Background Device-related thrombosis (DRT) is a common finding after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and is associated with worse outcomes. As women are underrepresented in clinical studies, further understanding of sex differences in DRT patients is warranted. Methods and Results This sub-analysis from the EUROC-DRT-registry compromises 176 patients with diagnosis of DRT after LAAC. Women, who accounted for 34.7% (61/176) of patients, were older (78.0±6.7 vs. 74.9±9.1 years, p=0.06) with lower rates of comorbidities. While DRT were detected significantly later in women (173±267 vs. 127±192 days, p=0.01), anticoagulation therapy was escalated similarly, mainly with initiation of novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC), vitamin K antagonist (VKA) or heparin. DRT resolution was achieved in 67.5% (27/40) of women and in 75.0% (54/72) of men (p=0.40). In the remaining cases, an intensification/switch of anticoagulation was conducted in 50% (9/18) of men and in 41.7% (5/12) of women. Final resolution was achieved in 72.5% (29/40) cases in women, and in 81.9% (59/72) cases in men (p=0.24). Women were followed-up for a similar time as men (779±520 vs. 908±687 days, p=0.51). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no difference in mortality rates in women (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 1.73, 95%-Confidence interval [95%-CI]: 0.68-4.37, p=0.25) and no differences in stroke (HR: 0.83, 95%-CI: 0.30-2.32, p=0.72) within two years after LAAC. Conclusion Evaluation of risk factors and outcome revealed no differences between men and women, with DRT in women being diagnosed significantly later. Women should be monitored closely to assess for DRT formation/resolution. Treatment strategies appear to be equally effective.

Objectives: The Heart Team (HT) approach plays a key role in selecting the optimal treatment strategy for patients with aortic stenosis. Little is known about the HT decision process and its impact on outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with the HT decision, and evaluate clinical outcomes according to the treatment choice. Methods: The study included a total of 286 consecutive patients with aortic stenosis referred for discussion in the weekly HT meeting in a cardiovascular institute over 2 years. Patients were stratified according to the selected therapeutic approach: medical treatment (MT), surgical (SAVR) or transcatheter (TAVR) aortic valve replacement. Baseline characteristics involved in making a therapeutic choice were identified and a decision-making tree was built using CART methodology. Results: Based on HT discussion 53 patients were assigned to SAVR, 210 to TAVR and 23 to MT. Older patients (≥88-years-old) were mainly assigned to TAVR or MT according to the Logistic EuroSCORE (< or ≥28, respectively). While among younger patients (<88 years), significant mitral regurgitation (≥grade III), frailty, STS score and estimated glomerular filtration rate were the most relevant factors influencing treatment allocation. One-year all-cause mortality was 16.6% in the invasive groups (TAVR 17.2%, SAVR 14.0%) and 68.7% in the MT arm. Conclusions: The HT decision was determined by well-recognized risk factors which were used to define a treatment decision algorithm. Future studies with younger and lower risk patients may identify new contributory factors which may alter the selection process and treatment choice.