# Gender differences in outcomes after left atrial appendage closure with Watchman FLX device: insights from the Italian-FLX registry

## TL;DR

This study found no significant gender differences in outcomes after using the Watchman FLX device for left atrial appendage closure.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence on the comparable safety and efficacy of LAAC in men and women using the Watchman FLX device.

## Key findings

- All-cause mortality, stroke, and major bleeding rates were similar between genders at 12 months.
- No significant gender differences were observed in periprocedural complications.
- Clinical outcomes were comparable between men and women at both short-term and long-term follow-up.

## Abstract

Recent studies have shown gender differences in cardiovascular outcomes after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC), highlighting different complication rates and adverse events, particularly in short-term assessments. As a result, there remains a significant knowledge gap on how these differences directly impact the efficacy and safety of LAAC procedures. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of LAAC in women and men using the Watchman FLX device.

This retrospective, multicenter study analyzes gender-specific outcomes in 650 patients who underwent LAAC with the Watchman FLX device between March 2019 and May 2022, drawn from the ITALIAN-FLX registry.

The results show comparable rates of all-cause mortality, stroke, transient ischemic attack and major bleeding in men and women 12 months after the procedure. Notably, no significant gender differences were found for periprocedural complications.

In conclusion, this study shows that LAAC with the Watchman FLX device has comparable clinical outcomes between genders at both short-term and long-term follow-up.