Pulmonary hypertension and outcomes following left atrial appendage occlusion device placement for atrial fibrillation: A population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is linked to poor outcomes in cardiac procedures, but data on left atrial appendage occlusion device (LAAOD) placement are limited.

METHODS

Using the 2016-2020 Nationwide Readmission Database, we compared in-hospital outcomes between AF patients with and without PH.

RESULTS

Among 48,692 AF-LAAOD patients, 5.9% had PH. PH was associated with higher mortality, prolonged ventilation, AKI, vasopressor use, interatrial septum repair, LOS, and costs. No differences were found in the odds of readmissions, major bleeding events, vascular complications, stroke, or cardiac arrest.

CONCLUSION

PH in AF-LAAOD patients is associated with higher fatal and nonfatal adverse outcomes.