Patterns of Anticoagulation Use and Cardioembolic Risk After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation [Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology]

Conclusion The overall risk of stroke in postablation patients is low; however, OAC discontinuation after ablation is common and is associated with increased risk of cardioembolism for all patients within the first 3 months and for high-risk patients in the long term. Continuing OAC for at least 3 months in all patients and indefinitely in high-risk patients appears to be the safest strategy.

http://jaha.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/short/4/11/e002597?rss=1

Source: JAHA:Journal of the American Heart Association - November 5, 2015 Category: Cardiology Authors: Noseworthy, P. A., Yao, X., Deshmukh, A. J., Van Houten, H., Sangaralingham, L. R., Siontis, K. C., Piccini, J. P., Asirvatham, S. J., Friedman, P. A., Packer, D. L., Gersh, B. J., Shah, N. D. Tags: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology Source Type: research