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.