Sex Differences in the Utilization and Outcomes of Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis [1]
The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried for aortic valve replacements conducted between 2003 and 2014. The data on a total of 166,809 patients (37% female) were analyzed with respect to outcomes in men vs. women. Hospital mortality was 40% higher in women than men (5.6% v. 4%, p<0.001). When isolated AVRs were analyzed and propensity-matched, hospital mortality was 14% higher in women than men (3.3% v. 2.9%, p=0.001). The differential outcomes appear to be driven by a distinct risk profile.