Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Introduction: Patients with cancer have a higher risk for both arterial and venous thromboembolism. Furthermore, this population subset has an increased risk of bleeding when treated with anticoagulation. Left atrial appendage occlusion devices (LAAODs) have emerged as an alternative to oral anticoagulation in patients at high risk for bleeding events. There is a paucity of data regarding the efficacy of LAAODs in cancer patients. In our study, we investigated the readmission rates, predictors, and causes of readmission after LAAODs placement in patients with underlying malignancy.

Methods: The National Readmission Database for 2016, 2018, and 2020 was queried to identify hospitalized adults for LAAOD placement with a history of cancer. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were used to adjust for possible confounders.

Results: A total of 566 patients were hospitalized for LAAOD placement and had a history of different malignancies with 563 discharged alive. Within 90 days from discharge, 141 patients (25%) were readmitted. Exacerbation of Congestive heart failure (CHF) (7.9%), Sepsis (6.7%), Lower GI bleeding (4.3%), Iron deficiency anemia (3.8%), unspecified gastrointestinal hemorrhage (3.1%), and paroxysmal Atrial fibrillation (2.6 %) were most common causes of readmissions. Independent predictors of readmission included female sex (aOR 1.68, 95% CI: 1.07 – 2.63, P=0.022), acute kidney injury (aOR 4.6, 95% CI: 1.5-8.4, P=0.008), and anemia (aOR 1.71, 95% CI: 1.08-2.7, P=0.023).

Conclusion:
Predictors of readmission included female sex, anemia, and acute kidney injury during index admission. The most common causes of readmission included Exacerbation of CHF, Sepsis, Lower GI bleeding, and Iron deficiency anemia. Addressing readmission causes and predictors is needed to prevent such a high rate of readmissions after LAAODs placement in cancer patients.