Sex-Based Disparities of In-Hospital Outcomes Shown in Study of LAAO Device Placement

May 2, 2025—A study of patients who underwent left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) device placement for treatment of atrial fibrillation found that women have a higher risk of mortality and complications than men, announced the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI).

The study findings were presented at the SCAI 2025 scientific sessions held May 1-3 in Washington, DC. The SCAI study abstract is available online here.

According to SCAI, the study investigators looked at data from the National Inpatient Sample database. The study sample included 81,474 adult patients with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation who underwent percutaneous LAAO device placement from 2016 to 2020. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, with secondary outcomes including length of stay, total hospitalization costs, and procedural complications.

As reported in the SCAI press release, the study found that 140 patients (1.7%) experienced the primary outcome of mortality, with women more than twice as likely to die compared to men. In addition, women had 50% higher odds of vascular complications and a 22% higher likelihood of stroke than men, even after adjusting for factors like age, race, and other health conditions.

Women also had slightly longer hospital stays (an average of 0.22 days more) and $2,994 higher hospital charges, noted the SCAI press release.

“Although the overall rate of complication was low, our analysis makes it clear that women are still in danger as they are at higher risk of mortality and complications following percutaneous LAAO device placement,” commented lead author Jeremiah Bello, MD, in the SCAI press release. “This could be related to anatomical differences or the fact that women often have a higher baseline risk for stroke.”

Dr. Bello, who is from the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, Illinois, added, “There’s definitely more to explore here, particularly around whether women could benefit from more aggressive blood-thinning treatments after the procedure.”