Tan, Bryan E-Xin

AbstractBackgroundThere is a paucity of data regarding the sex‐related differences in the trends and outcomes of trans‐septal transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TS‐TMVR).MethodsThe Nationwide Readmissions Database (2015–2018) was queried for admissions for TS‐TMVR. Propensity matched analysis was conducted to compare outcomes with hospitalizations for TS‐TMVR among women versus men. The main study outcome was in‐hospital mortality.ResultsOur final analysis included 2063 hospitalizations for TS‐TMVR; of whom, 58.1% were women. The proportion of women among those undergoing TS‐TMVR increased from 50% in 2015 to 60.2% in 2018 (Ptrend = 0.04). Compared with men, women undergoing TS‐TMVR were slightly younger, and had a distinct profile of comorbidities. After matching, there was no significant difference in in‐hospital mortality among women versus men undergoing TS‐TMVR (7.8% vs. 6.1%, OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 0.79–2.13). Subgroup analyzes showed an interaction toward higher mortality with women versus men among patients with CKD (Pinteraction = 0.07). There were no significant differences between women and men in in‐hospital complications or length of stay after TS‐TMVR. Compared with men, women undergoing TS‐TMVR were more likely to be discharged to a nursing facility (17.7% vs. 11.5%, p = 0.01) and had higher rates of 30‐day readmissions (22.4% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.01).ConclusionThis nationwide analysis showed an increase in the proportion of women among patients undergoing TS‐TMVR during the study years. There were no differences in in‐hospital mortality, in‐hospital complications, or length of stay between both sexes following TS‐TMVR. Women were more likely to be discharged to nursing facilities and had higher rates of readmission at 30 days even after propensity matching.

AbstractBackgroundCatheter ablation is widely accepted intervention for atrial fibrillation (AF) refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs, but limited data are available regarding contemporary trends in major complications and in‐hospital mortality due to the procedure. This study was aimed at exploring the temporal trends of in‐hospital mortality, major complications, and impact of hospital volume on frequency of AF ablation–related outcomes.MethodsThe Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was utilized to identify the AF patients treated with catheter ablation. In‐hospital death and common complications including vascular access complications, cardiac perforation and/or tamponade, pneumothorax, stroke, and transient ischemic attack, were identified using International Classification of Disease (ICD‐9‐CM) codes.ResultIn‐hospital mortality rate of 0.15% and overall complication rate of 5.46% were noted among AF ablation recipients (n = 50,969). Significant increase in complications during study period (relative increase 56.37%, P‐trend < 0.001) was observed. Cardiac (2.65%), vascular (1.33%), and neurological (1.05%) complications were most common. On multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR]; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]; P value), significant predictors of complications were female sex (OR = 1.40; CI = 1.17–1.68; P value < 0.001), high burden of comorbidity as indicated by Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥2 (OR = 2.84; CI = 2.29–3.52; P value < 0.001), and low hospital volume (< 50 procedures).ConclusionOur study noted a decline in AF ablation–related hospitalizations and complications associated with the procedure. These findings largely reflect shifting trends of outpatient performance of the procedure and increasing safety profile due to improved institutional expertise and catheter techniques.