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Dabigatran versus warfarin anticoagulation before and after catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation

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Abstract

Background

Systemic thromboembolism and bleeding remain the two most common and serious complications of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. A variety of periprocedure anticoagulation strategies have been proposed to mitigate these risks. Although operators are now routinely administering dabigatran for anticoagulation in this setting, its relative safety and effectiveness compared to warfarin are unknown.

Methods and results

A total of 202 patients received dabigatran as part of their periprocedural anticoagulation regimen at the time of initial or redo catheter ablation for symptomatic atrial fibrillation. A comparison group of 202 patients treated with warfarin was randomly selected from patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation during the same time period. AF types were paroxysmal in 223 patients, persistent in 158 patients, and longstanding persistent in 13 patients. Mean age was 60.0 ± 10.5 years, 55 % had a history of hypertension, and mean CHADS-VASc score was 1.7 ± 1.3. “Continuous” warfarin or dabigatran was administered in 80 and 32 % of patients, respectively. Time to first dose of dabigatran post-procedure was 12.2 ± 10.3 h. Two dabigatran and no warfarin-treated patients had systemic thromboembolism (p = NS); five dabigatran and three warfarin-treated patients had bleeding complications (p = NS, combined endpoint p = 0.116). One dabigatran patient had severe pericardial bleeding (3 L blood loss).

Conclusions

In a retrospective pilot trial comparing the risks of systemic thromboembolism or bleeding complications in patients treated with warfarin or dabigatran anticoagulation, the outcomes were similar. A prospective trial is warranted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA

    David E. Haines, Michelle Mead-Salley & Miguel Salazar

  2. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Francis E. Marchlinski & Erica Zado

  3. Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Hugh Calkins & Hirad Yarmohammadi

  4. Pacific Rim EP Research Institute Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Koonlawee Nademanee & Montawatt Amnueypol

  5. London Health Sciences Center, London, ON, Canada

    Allan C. Skanes & Pradyot Saklani

  6. Heart Rhythm Center, Beaumont Health System, 3601 West 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI, 48073, USA

    David E. Haines

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  1. David E. Haines
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Correspondence to David E. Haines.

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Haines, D.E., Mead-Salley, M., Salazar, M. et al. Dabigatran versus warfarin anticoagulation before and after catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 37, 233–239 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-013-9800-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-013-9800-z

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