August 10, 2018Open Access

Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus Prior to Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in the Era of Direct Oral Anticoagulants

Structured PICO

Does appropriate DOAC dosing, such as regular-dose dabigatran, prevent left atrial appendage thrombus in atrial fibrillation patients prior to ablation?

Population

Patients with atrial fibrillation prior to ablation

Intervention

Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs), specifically regular-dose dabigatran

Comparator

Inappropriately reduced DOAC dose

Outcome

Left atrial appendage thrombus (LAT) and thromboembolic risksurrogate

Inappropriately reduced DOAC doses should be avoided in AF patients prior to ablation to minimize LAT risk, and regular-dose dabigatran may offer therapeutic efficacy.

Abstract

DOACs still carry a finite risk of LAT in AF patients. Inappropriately reduced DOAC dose should be avoided to minimize the thromboembolic risk. Regular-dose dabigatran may have therapeutic efficacy against LAT.

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