Efficacy and Safety of Catheter Ablation for Long‐Standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in Women

Abstract

Women and long AF duration were closely related to the recurrence of AF after the first ablation in patients with long-standing persistent AF. Women also had a higher risk of vascular complications.

Sex-related outcome of atrial fibrillation ablation: Insights from the German Ablation Registry

“…7,9,10,15 In studies showing reduced procedural success in women, worse outcome has primarily been attributed to more persistent forms of AF and more advanced structural remodeling at the time of ablation. 7,9 Patel et al retrospectively analyzed a large cohort (3265 patients, 16% women), with a lower prevalence of paroxysmal AF (46%) and higher prevalence of long-standing persistent AF (27%) in female patients.…”

“…This is consistent with reports from previous studies. 7,10,18 Underlying reasons may be sex-specific anatomical varieties with close location or overlap of groin vessel branches in women and smaller vessel diameters. 19,20 Smaller left atrial chamber size may render intracardiac catheter navigation more difficult.…”

“…In past clinical trials investigating AF-ablation, women were often underrepresented and female cohorts in specific studies on sex-associated aspects of CA were relatively small. 7,9,10 The aim of this study was to assess sex-related procedural characteristics und outcome of AF-ablation in a large real-world cohort including a high number of female patients.…”

2012 HRS/EHRA/ECAS Expert Consensus Statement on Catheter and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Recommendations for Patient Selection, Procedural Techniques, Patient Management and Follow-up, Definitions, Endpoints, and Research Trial Design

“…252,289,290,291,806,808,920,1050,1051,1052,1053,1054,1056,1057,1058,1059 A multicenter U.S. retrospective study reported total complications of 3265 (518 in women vs 2747 in men), with a 5% complication rate in women vs 2.4% in men ( P <.001). This study found more hematomas and pseudoaneurysms in women.…”

Five-Year Follow-Up After Catheter Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Using the Stepwise Approach and Prognostic Factors for Success

“…Only 1 study evaluated the outcome for women after CA of persAF which revealed higher recurrence rates as shown in our study. 43 …”