Sex-related outcome of atrial fibrillation ablation: Insights from the German Ablation Registry.
Stratification of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) according to mechanistic and prognostic criteria may optimize the effectiveness and safety of catheter ablation. In women, AF is associated with more severe symptoms and worse prognosis.



We sought to assess sex-related differences in catheter ablation procedures and outcome in a large cohort of patients with AF.



A total of 3652 patients (1198 women [33%]; 2454 men [67%]) included in the German Ablation Registry were analyzed. Periprocedural parameters and outcome at 12-month follow-up were compared between male and female patients.



Women were older at the time of ablation (women: 63.6 years; men: 59.1 years; P < .0001) and exhibited a higher prevalence of paroxysmal AF (women: 72%; men: 61%; P < .0001). They were less often affected by cardiovascular disease and reduced left ventricular function. Energy application duration and overall procedure duration were shorter in women. Conversely, the rate of major inhospital complications was increased in female patients (1.9% vs 0.8%; P = .023) and mainly driven by major bleeding events. At follow-up, women experienced higher AF recurrence rates (women: 50%; men: 45%; P = .017) and more often received oral medication for rhythm and rate control. In addition, the rate of pacemaker implantation was higher in the female cohort. Women more frequently reported femoral access site complications (women: 6%; men: 3%; P < .001). Overall, male patients were more often free from AF-related symptoms and satisfied with the treatment.



Catheter ablation of AF was associated with a distinct sex-related outcome and complication profile that requires consideration in clinical practice.
Department of Cardiology, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Maura M
MM
Zylla
Department of Cardiology, Hospital Coburg, Coburg, Germany.
Johannes
J
Brachmann
Isar Heart Center Munich, Munich, Germany.
Thorsten
T
Lewalter
Department of Cardiology/Intensive Care Medicine, Heart Center Munich-Bogenhausen, Munich, Germany.
Ellen
E
Hoffmann
Department of Cardiology, Asklepios Hospital St. Georg, Hamburg, Germany.
Karl-Heinz
KH
Kuck
Department of Cardiology, Vivantes Hospital, Klinikum am Urban, Berlin, Germany (present address: Evangelische Elisabeth Klinik, Berlin, Germany).
Dietrich
D
Andresen
Department of Cardiology/Electrophysiology, University Heart Center, Hamburg, Germany.
Stephan
S
Willems
Division of Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
Lars
L
Eckardt
HELIOS Klinikum Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany.
Jürgen
J
Tebbenjohanns
Praxisklinik Herz und Gefäße, Dresden, Germany.
Stefan G
SG
Spitzer
Department of Cardiology, Herz- und Gefäß-Klinik, Bad Neustadt/Saale, Germany (present address: 2nd Department of Medicine, Westpfalz-Klinikum, Kaiserslautern, Germany).
Burghard
B
Schumacher
Stiftung Institut für Herzinfarktforschung (IHF) Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Matthias
M
Hochadel
Stiftung Institut für Herzinfarktforschung (IHF) Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Jochen
J
Senges
Department of Cardiology, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Hugo A
HA
Katus
Department of Cardiology, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. Electronic address: dierk.thomas@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
Dierk
D
Thomas
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors
Atrial fibrillation; Catheter ablation; Complications; Pulmonary vein isolation; Registry; Sex-related outcome