Sex differences and arrhythmia recurrence after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. (25th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tanaka, M; Shizuta, S; Komasa, A; Yoshizawa, T; Kohjitani, H; Kimura, T
• Is Part Of: European heart journal. Volume 41:(2020)Supplement 2
• Publication Date: 2020-11-25
• Subjects: Rhythm Control, Catheter Ablation; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.12005
• DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.0601
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-668X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Several previous studies reported female sex is associated with high recurrence rate of atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATA) after catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF). Purpose: We investigated the relationship between sex differences and recurrence rate of ATA after CA for AF in a large single-center database. Methods: We enrolled consecutive 2033 patients undergoing first time CA for AF in our institution between Feb.2004 and Dec. 2017. We compared the long-term outcomes between female (N=603) and male (N=1430). Results: Female patients were older (70.8 vs. 66.3, p<0.0001), and had lower prevalence of persistent AF (23.1% vs. 33.5%, p<0.0001). Also, left atrial dimension was smaller (40.0 vs. 41.1, p=0.0005). and prior antiarrhythmic drug use was more prevalent (38.2% vs. 28.7%, p<0.0001) in female patients. Ablation method for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was radiofrequency catheter ablation in 1634 patients (80.4%) and cryoballoon ablation in 399 (20.6%). Median follow-up duration was 1342±115 days. The 3-year ATA recurrence rate after first CA was 35.8% overall: 39.9% in female and 34.2% in male (Log-rank P=0.01). A multivariate analysis revealed that the factors associated with higher ATA recurrence rate were female (p=0.01), persistent AF (p=0.006), and larger left atrial dimension (p=0.007). Conclusions: Female gender is an independent predictor of arrhythmia recurrence after CA for AF. Funding Acknowledgement: Type of funding source: None