Darden D, Duong T, Du C, et al. - Among patients who underwent left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), female patients had a significantly higher risk of in-hospital adverse events post-procedure than male patients.

• This cohort study involved 49,357 patients (mean [SD] age, 76.1 [8.0] years) receiving LAAO with the Watchman device.

• 20,388 women (41.3%) and 28,969 (58.7%) men had LAAO.

• Occurrence of adverse event or major adverse event was more likely in female patients, vs male patients, because of pericardial effusion needing drainage or major bleeding.

• A hospital stay longer than 1 day or death was more likely to occur in women, vs men, although death was rare and absolute differences were minimal.

• Strategies are required to attenuate the elevated risk of LAAO implant–related adverse events for women.