Dataset Information

Outcomes of uninterrupted vs interrupted Periprocedural direct oral Anticoagulants in atrial Fibrillation ablation: A meta‐analysis

ABSTRACT: Abstract

Background

Studies indicate that uninterrupted anticoagulation (UA) is superior to interrupted anticoagulation (IA) in the periprocedural period during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Still IA is followed in many centers considering the bleeding risk. This meta‐analysis compares interrupted and uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulation during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Methods

A systematic search into PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases was performed and five studies were selected that directly compared IA vs UA before ablation and reported procedural outcomes, embolic, and bleeding events. The primary outcome of the study was major adverse cerebro‐cardiovascular events.

Results

The meta‐analysis included 840 patients with UA and 938 patients with IA. Median follow‐up was 30 days. Activated clotting time (ACT) before first heparin bolus was significantly longer with UA (P = .006), whereas mean ACT was similar between the two groups (P = .19). Total heparin dose needed was significantly higher with IA (mean, ‒1.61; 95% CI, ‒2.67 to ‒0.55; P = .003). Mean procedure time did not vary between groups (P = .81). Overall complication rates were low, with similar major adverse cerebro‐cardiovascular event (P = .40) and total bleeding (P = .55) rates between groups. Silent cerebral events (SCEs) were significantly more frequent with IA (log odds ratio, ‒0.90; 95% CI, ‒1.59 to ‒0.22; P < .01; I2, 33%). Rates of major bleeding, minor bleeding, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, and puncture complications were similar between groups.

Conclusions

UA during atrial fibrillation ablation has similar bleeding event rates, procedural times, and mean ACTs as IA, with fewer SCEs. This meta‐analysis compares interrupted and uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulation during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Uninterrupted anticoagulation during atrial fibrillation ablation has similar bleeding event rates, procedural times, and mean activated clotting times as interrupted anticoagulation, with fewer silent cerebral events.

SUBMITTER: Basu‐Ray I

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8021981 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:ImportanceUninterrupted dabigatran therapy reduces stroke risk in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) undergoing ablation and is associated with a lower bleeding risk than uninterrupted warfarin therapy. Minimally interrupted direct oral anticoagulant therapy is widely used, but data from controlled studies are insufficient.ObjectiveTo compare the safety and efficacy of minimally interrupted dabigatran vs uninterrupted warfarin therapy in patients undergoing catheter ablation for NVAF.Design, setting, and participantsThe ABRIDGE-J (ABlation peRIoperative DabiGatran in use Envisioning in Japan) trial is a open-label, randomized clinical trial performed in 28 Japanese treatment centers. A total of 504 patients scheduled for NVAF ablation were enrolled; 500 were randomized to the study treatments; 499 received at least 1 dose of dabigatran etexilate (n = 248) or warfarin potassium (n = 251); and 442 underwent ablation (220 in the dabigatran group and 222 in the warfarin group). Data were collected from May 1, 2014, through September 14, 2015, and analyzed from March 7, 2017, through January 28, 2019.InterventionsAppropriate dose anticoagulation was administered 4 weeks before and at least 3 months after ablation in all patients. Dabigatran therapy was interrupted before catheter ablation (holding of 1-2 doses) and resumed after ablation.Main outcomes and measuresPrimary end points were the incidence of embolism during the perioperative period and atrial thrombus just before the ablation. The main secondary end point was the incidence of major bleeding events until 3 months after ablation.ResultsOf the 442 patients who underwent ablation, 74.9% were men and the median age was 66 years (interquartile range, 59-71 years). Before ablation, 1 cerebral infarction and 1 thrombus in the left atrium occurred in the warfarin group, but no events occurred in the interrupted dabigatran group. After ablation, the mean (SD) incidence of major bleeding events was significantly lower with dabigatran (3 patients [1.4% {0.8%}; 95% CI, 0.4%-4.2%]) vs warfarin (11 patients [5.0% {1.5%}; 95% CI, 2.8%-8.8%]; P = .03). No thromboembolic events occurred after ablation in the dabigatran group; 1 (0.5%) occurred in the warfarin group.Conclusions and relevanceIn patients undergoing ablation for NVAF, anticoagulation with minimally interrupted dabigatran therapy did not increase thromboembolic events and was associated with fewer bleeding complications than uninterrupted warfarin therapy.Trial registrationumin.ac.jp Identifier: UMIN000013129.