Comparison of Safety of Left Atrial Catheter Ablation Procedures for Atrial Arrhythmias under Continuous Anticoagulation with Apixaban versus Phenprocoumon

Apixaban is increasingly used for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Data about the safety of left atrial radiofrequency ablation procedures under continuous apixaban therapy are lacking. We performed a matched cohort study of patients undergoing LA ablation procedures for AF or left atrial flutter. For each patient on apixaban, two patients on phenprocoumon were matched by age, sex, and type of arrhythmia. The primary safety endpoint was a composite of bleeding, thromboembolic events and death.

Source: The American Journal of Cardiology - October 11, 2014 Category: Cardiology Authors: Bernhard M. Kaess, Sonia Ammar, Tilko Reents, Roger Dillier, Carsten Lennerz, Verena Semmler, Christian Grebmer, Felix Bourier, Alessandra Buiatti, Christof Kolb, Isabel Deisenhofer, Gabriele Hessling Source Type: research