C-35 | Weighing the Risks: Effects of BMI on Complications Following Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion with WATCHMAN FLX

Background: The Effect of obesity on the outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation has not been elucidated.This study aims to assess the influence of obesity on the outcomes of catheter ablation.Methods: Using data from the National Inpatient Sample from January 2018 to December 2021, this study identified 82,400 patients undergoing AF catheter ablation.Of these, 22,775 (27.64%) were obese, and 59,625 (72.36%) were non-obese.Baseline demographics, comorbidities and outcomes were compared between groups.Multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to control potential sources of confounding bias.Results: Obese patients were significantly older, with a higher proportion aged !65 years (72.7% vs. 55.39%,p < 0.0001).Obesity was associated with increased acute kidney injury (AKI) (32.47% vs. 26.24%,p < 0.0001).However, no significant differences were observed in mortality (1.38% vs. 1.55%, p 0.4227), hemopericardium (0.46% vs. 0.47%, p 0.9419), bleeding (6.89% vs. 7.34%, p 0.3146), blood transfusions (4.42% vs. 4.3%, p 0.7467), vascular complications (1.12% vs. 1.17%, p 0.8028), or respiratory complications (2.9% vs. 3.02%, p 0.6839).Multivariate analysis confirmed an increased risk of AKI (aOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.15-1.38,p<0.0001) and no significant differences in mortality and other outcomes.Conclusions: Obesity increased the risk of AKI after AF catheter ablation, but no difference was observed in mortality, bleeding, or vascular or respiratory complications compared with non-obese individuals.Further studies are warranted to explore strategies for risk mitigation in obese populations.