Sex- Based Differences in Safety and Efficacy of Catheter Ablation for
Atrial Fibrillation
Abstract
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 gender 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 size 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: Total 1346 patients underwent first
catheter ablation for AF during this period, including 896 (66.5%) male
and 450 (33.4%) female patients. Female patients were older at the time
of ablation (66.2y vs 62.4y; p<0.001). Women had higher CHA
2DS 2-VASc scores (3 vs 2;
p<0.001) than men, expectedly, as the female sex warrants an
additional point. 25.3% female patients had PersAF at the time of
diagnosis vs 35.3% male patients (p<0.001). At the time of
ablation, 31.8% female patients had PersAF as compared to 43.1% male
patients (p<0.001), indicating progression of PAF to PersAF in
both genders. Women tried more AADs than men before ablation (1.13 vs
0.98; p=0.002). Male and female patients had no statistically
significant difference in (a) arrhythmia recurrence at 1-y post ablation
(27.7% vs 30%; p=0.38) or (b) procedural complication rate (1.8% vs
3.1%; p=0.56). Conclusion: Female patients were older and had
higher CHA 2DS 2-VASc scores compared to
males at the time of AF ablation. Women tried more AADs than men prior
to ablation. 1-y arrhythmia recurrence rates and procedural
complications were similar in both genders. No sex- based differences
were observed in safety and efficacy of ablation.