May 19, 2026
View Full PaperAntithrombotic Therapy for Patients Undergoing Cardiac Electrophysiological and Interventional Procedures
Key Result
This review provides an evidence-based practical summary of antithrombotic approaches used in different cardiac electrophysiology and interventional procedures to guide everyday clinical practice.
Key Points
- This review aims to provide a concise, evidence-based summary of antithrombotic therapies in cardiac procedures.
- Reviewed existing society guidelines and consensus documents on antithrombotic therapy.
- Summarized antithrombotic approaches for cardiac electrophysiology and interventional procedures.
- Focused on timing, dosing, and combinations of therapies.
- Identified critical considerations in balancing stroke prevention and bleeding risks.
- Emphasized the importance of individualizing therapy based on patient characteristics.
- Highlighted the conflicting guidelines complicating treatment decision-making.
Structured PICO
P
Population
Patients undergoing cardiac electrophysiological and interventional procedures
I
Intervention
Antithrombotic therapies (timing, dose, and combination)
This review provides a practical summary of antithrombotic management for patients undergoing cardiac electrophysiological and interventional procedures to balance thromboembolic and bleeding risks.
Abstract
Electrophysiological and interventional procedures have been increasingly used to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients experiencing cardiovascular diseases. Although antithrombotic therapies are critical to reduce the risk of stroke or other thromboembolic events, they can nonetheless increase the bleeding hazard. This is even more true in an aging population undergoing cardiac procedures in which the combination of oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet therapies would further increase the hemorrhagic risk. Hence, the timing, dose, and combination of antithrombotic therapies should be carefully chosen in each case. However, the maze of society guidelines and consensus documents published so far have progressively led to a hazier scenario in this setting. Aim of this review is to provide-in a single document-a quick, evidenced-based practical summary of the antithrombotic approaches used in different cardiac electrophysiology and interventional procedures to guide the busy clinician and the cardiac proceduralist in their everyday practice.