Abstract 16133: Racial and Ethnic Differences in Treatment and Outcomes of Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction: Non-white patients have been reported to face barriers to left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). Hypothesis: We hypothesized that white vs. non-white patients would have disparate wait times for and post-procedural treatment course after LAAO. Methods: We identified consecutive patients undergoing LAAO (Watchman TM ) at our institution between November 2015 - March 2020. In white vs. non-white patients, we compared patient characteristics, indications for LAAO, procedural wait time from index event (IE) and cardiology encounter to LAAO procedure, complications, post-procedure anticoagulation regimen, and adherence to 45-day post-procedural transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). Results: Of 109 consecutive patients receiving LAAO implants, 45% were white (n = 49). White patients were less likely to have prior cerebral vascular accident (14% vs. 43%, p=0.001), heart failure (18% vs. 48%, p=0.001), and end stage renal disease (0% vs. 20%, p Conclusions: Whites and non-whites had similar indications for LAAO, procedural wait time, risk of procedural complications, and adherence to post-procedural TEE, despite a higher burden of co-morbidities. White patients may be more likely to be discharged on oral anticoagulation.