Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Background:Catheter ablation, a commonly performed procedure in the electrophysiology laboratory, is relatively safe. However, complications like pericardial tamponade, although rare, can be life-threatening. There are limited studies that have investigated predictors of mortality in patients who developed cardiac tamponade post-catheter ablation procedures. We examined predictors of mortality in this select population of hospitalized patients who had catheter ablation procedures associated with cardiac tamponade.

Objective: To evaluate the predictors of mortality in hospitalized patients post-catheter ablation procedures and associated cardiac tamponade.

Methods: Data from the National Inpatient Sample, 2016-2020, were used for retrospective cohort analyses. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the factors associated with mortality among hospitalized patients post-catheter ablation procedures and associated cardiac tamponade

Results: In the adjusted analysis, ages 65 years and above (AOR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.20-2.30) and being female (AOR:1.40; 95% CI: 1.10-1.90) were more likely to die compared to being younger than 65 years and being male. Also, non-Hispanic blacks (AOR: 1.60; 95% Cl: 1.20-2.40) and Hispanics (AOR: 1.50; 95% Cl: 1.10-1.80) had higher odds of mortality than non-Hispanic whites. On the other hand, those with private insurance
(AOR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.10-0.90) and other insurance (AOR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.20-0.80) were associated with a lower mortality risk than having Medicare insurance. Patients admitted electively (AOR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.20- 0.90) were less likely to die compared to those with non-elective admission. Patients with a length of stay greater than 5 days (AOR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.70-3.50) had higher odds of mortality relative to those with a hospital stay of 5 days or less. Additionally, higher comorbidity scores of 8 and above (AOR: 2.30; 95% CI:1.50-4.50) were also associated with higher odds of mortality compared to having lower comorbidity scores

Conclusion:This study highlights factors associated with mortality in hospitalized patients post-catheter ablation procedures and associated cardiac tamponade. Awareness of these indices will assist clinicians in identifying patients at higher risk of mortality. This would better inform management practices in these patient groups.