Outcomes and complications of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in females

BackgroundMost atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation studies have consisted predominantly of males; accordingly, there is a paucity of information on the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation in a large cohort of female AF patients.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate catheter ablation for AF in female patients.MethodsFrom January 2005 to May 2008, 3265 females underwent pulmonary vein antrum isolation. Success rates, patient profiles, and complications were collected.ResultsApproximately 16% of our population was female (P <.001). Females were older (59 ± 13 vs. 56 ± 19 years; P <.01) and had a lower prevalence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF; 46% vs. 55%; P <.001). Females failed more antiarrhythmics (4 ± 1 vs. 2 ± 3; P = .04) and were referred later for catheter ablation (6.51 ± 7 vs. 4.85 ± 6.5 years; P = .02) than males. More females failed ablation (31.5% vs. 22.5%; P = .001) and had nonantral sites of firing than males (P <.001). Female patients had 11 (2.1%) hematomas versus 27 (0.9%) in males.ConclusionsFive times as many males underwent catheter ablation than females. Females failed more ablations possibly because of a higher prevalence of nonantral firing, non-PAF, and longer history of AF. Females had more bleeding complications than males.