Sex differences involved in persistent atrial fibrillation recurrence after radiofrequency ablation

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the difference in outcomes of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in persistent atrial fibrillation patients has risen. In particular, biological sex seems involved in a different response to the AF ablation procedure. In our study, we analyzed the AF recurrences after RFCA assessing the other association between male/female patients with the outcomes. METHODS: We enrolled 106 patients (74.5% men) with persistent atrial fibrillation with scheduled follow-up. The baseline clinical characteristics and AF recurrence after RFCA were compared between men and women. Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the risk predictors of AF recurrence. RESULTS: The proportion of RFCA in women was lower than that in men. Men with persistent AF were younger than women (58.6 ± 10.4 years vs. 65.1 ± 8.7 years, respectively; p = 0.003). The left atrium (LA) diameter was higher in males (43.7 ± 4.6 mm vs. 41.3 ± 5.5 mm; p = 0.028), and the level of left heart ejection fraction (LVEF) was higher in females (59.4 ± 6.9% vs. 64.1 ± 5.5%; p = 0.001). Sex differences in AF recurrence after RFCA were significant during the median 24.4-month (interquartile range: 15.2–30.6 months) follow-up period, and the recurrence rate of AF in women was significantly higher than that in men (p = 0.005). Univariable Cox regression analysis showed that female sex was a risk factor for persistent AF recurrence after RFCA [HR: 2.099 (1.087–4.053)]. Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that non-PV ablation not associated with AF recurrence [HR: 1.003 (0.516–1.947)]. CONCLUSION: In a monocentric cohort of persistent AF patients, the female biological sex was associated with a higher risk of AF recurrence after RFCA. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-022-03002-z.