Scarce data support the prescription of oral anticoagulation in patients with concomitant advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and atrial fibrillation, and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) may provide a favorable risk-benefit ratio in this population. However, outcomes of LAAC in CKD patients are unknown. We aimed to investigate the impact of moderate-to-severe CKD on clinical outcomes following percutaneous LAAC. This was a multicenter study including 1094 patients who underwent LAAC. Moderate-to-severe CKD was defined as an eGFR<45 mL/min. Death, ischemic stroke, severe bleeding (≥BARC 3a) and serious adverse event (SAE; composite of death, stroke or severe bleeding) were recorded. A total of 300 patients (27.4%) had moderate-to-severe CKD. There were no differences between groups in periprocedural complications or device related thrombosis. At a median follow-up of 2 (1 to 3) years, patients with moderate-to-severe CKD did not present an increased risk of ischemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22 to 1.92; p = 0.435) but were at a higher risk of death (HR: 2.84; 95% CI: 2.22 to 3.64; p <0.001), severe bleeding (HR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.36 to 2.81; p <0.001) and SAE (HR: 2.23; 95% CI: 1.80 to 2.77; p <0.001). By multivariable analysis, an eGFR<45 ml/min (HR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.34 to 2.76; p <0.001) and previous bleeding (HR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.27 to 4.17; p = 0.006) were associated with an increased risk of severe bleeding. In conclusion, patients with moderate-to-severe CKD who underwent LAAC had very high thrombotic and bleeding risks. Although the rates of device related thrombosis or ischemic stroke after-LAAC were not influenced by kidney dysfunction, patients with moderate-to-severe CKD remained at higher risk of severe bleeding events.
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