Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Utilization and Outcomes with WATCHMAN FLX: A SURPASS analysis of the NCDR LAAO Registry

BackgroundLeft atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is increasingly used as an alternative to oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in select patients with atrial fibrillation. Data on outcomes in racial and ethnic minority individuals are limited. This analysis assessed differences in the utilization and outcomes of LAAO by race and ethnicity in a large national registry. MethodsThis analysis acquired data on WATCHMAN FLX patients from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) LAAO Registry through September 2022. All patients with an attempted WATCHMAN FLX implantation and known race and ethnicity were included. Baseline characteristics and 1 year event rates were compared. ResultsA total of 97,185 patients were analyzed; 87,339 were White (90%), 3,750 Black (Black/African American 3.9%), and 2,866 Hispanic ([Hispanic/Latinx] 2.9%). Black and Hispanic patients were younger with a higher incidence of prior stroke and significant bleeding compared to White patients. Black and Hispanic patients were treated with LAAO in smaller numbers relative to their proportion of the US population. Rates of procedural success were similar between groups. Though direct oral anticoagulants were prescribed in most patients across the groups, dual and single antiplatelet therapy were prescribed more often in Black patients. Black patients had significantly higher rates of 1-year death and bleeding compared to White and Hispanic patients. ConclusionsPatients from racial and ethnic minority groups comprise a disproportionately small fraction of all patients who undergo LAAO. Black and Hispanic patients were younger but had significantly higher comorbidities compared to White patients. Procedural success was similar amongst the groups but Black patients experienced higher rates of death and bleeding at 1 year. Graphic Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=84 SRC="FIGDIR/small/24306969v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (35K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1fa57f9org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@a5c781org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1cd139eorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c3215c_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG What is knownThere is underutilization of LAAO among racial and ethnic minority patients with AF and there are racial and ethnic differences in periprocedural outcomes. What this study addsIn this study from a large US national registry of patients undergoing LAAO, Black patients were younger but had higher baseline comorbidities and experienced higher rates of bleeding at 45 days and 1-year and higher 1-year mortality. Further work is needed to enroll diverse patients into research trials and to provide equitable AF-related access to advanced care and intra- procedural and post-procedural care in US real-world practice.