Statistical analysis
We assessed continuous variables for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. These variables are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). To compare continuous variables, we employed the t-test. Categorical variables are presented as frequencies and percentages and were analyzed with either the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, depending on their suitability. Incidence rates of MACCE are expressed as events per 100 patient-years. The Kaplan-Meier curve illustrated the percentage of patients remaining free from AF recurrences over time, with a separate analysis by gender. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to determine the risk factors for AF recurrence and MACCE, with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) presented as HR (95% CI). Additionally, logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for MACCE, adopting P < 0.10 as the inclusion significance level for the model. We considered possible confounders including age, gender, AF type, AF duration since initial diagnosis, CHA2DS2-VASc score and its components, alcohol intake, left atrial diameter (LAD) ≥40 mm, and obesity (body mass index ≥28.0).
To balance the baseline clinical characteristics between genders, we performed a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM), considering factors such as age ≥60 years, obesity, AF duration since diagnosis, hypertension, stroke, vascular disease, CHA2DS2-VASc score above 2 (including risk factors other than female), AF type, and LAD ≥40 mm. Data analysis was executed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0, with a significance threshold set at p < 0.05.