Association between venous access-site closure device use and postoperative nausea and vomiting after atrial fibrillation ablation under propofol sedation: a single-centre retrospective observational study in Okayama, Japan

Objectives To examine whether the use of a venous access-site closure device is associated with the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation under propofol sedation. Design Observational study.

Setting A single-centre retrospective observational study in Okayama, Japan. Participants We retrospectively analysed consecutive patients who underwent AF ablation under deep propofol sedation with adaptive servo-ventilation.

A total of 686 patients were included. Patients were managed using a standardised sedation protocol with or without low-dose pentazocine.

Patients treated with conventional manual compression for haemostasis (n=383) were compared with those treated using a venous access-site closure device (n=303). Interventions Postprocedural bed rest duration and the incidence and timing of PONV were compared between groups.

Associations between closure device use and PONV were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Primary outcome measure The primary outcome was the occurrence of PONV following AF ablation.

Results All procedures were completed under propofol sedation without conversion to general anaesthesia.