Conclusions
MVCs are twice as often in females than in males following CA for AF.
This difference is driven by lower body size in females. We did not
identify any direct impact of gender per se on the rate of MVCs. Low
body height in females and advanced age in males were independent risk
factors of MVCs. US-guided venipuncture lowered the MVC rate in males.
These observations may have implications for the strategy of
periprocedural anticoagulation, implementation of US-guidance for venous
access, and for the selection of vascular sheaths.