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

## TL;DR

Pulmonary hypertension in atrial fibrillation patients undergoing a heart procedure is linked to higher risks of death and complications, but not higher readmission rates.

## Contribution

This study is the first population-based analysis to evaluate outcomes of LAAOD placement in AF patients with pulmonary hypertension.

## Key findings

- PH was associated with higher mortality and complications in AF patients undergoing LAAOD placement.
- Patients with PH had longer hospital stays and higher healthcare costs.
- No significant differences were found in readmission rates or stroke incidence between groups.

## Abstract

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

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

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.

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

Pulmonary hypertension in atrial fibrillation patients undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion is linked to higher mortality, complications, and healthcare costs, though readmission rates remain unchanged.