Key result
Uninterrupted dabigatran during atrial fibrillation ablation resulted in significantly higher initial ACT levels (315.6 vs 264.5) compared to interrupted DOACs.
Why the study?
Although uninterrupted dabigatran during AF ablation is established standard therapy, few reports have evaluated its effects on the intensity of anticoagulation during the procedure.
Does uninterrupted dabigatran improve the intensity and stability of anticoagulation during atrial fibrillation ablation compared to interrupted DOACs?
Cohort (n=213)
No
Does uninterrupted dabigatran improve the intensity and stability of anticoagulation during atrial fibrillation ablation compared to interrupted DOACs?
Uninterrupted dabigatran during AF ablation provides a more stable anticoagulation status and reduces the need for intraprocedural heparin compared to interrupted DOACs, without increasing complications.
Uninterrupted dabigatran was associated with higher ACT levels in retrospective AF ablation data; leaves open need for randomized outcome trials.
Background Uninterrupted dabigatran during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is now established as the standard therapy. However, there are few reports on the effects of uninterrupted dabigatran on the intensity of anticoagulation during AF ablation. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 247 consecutive patients who underwent AF ablation in our hospital from January 2017 to December 2018. Patients who took warfarin or uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) except for dabigatran were excluded. 89 patients underwent ablation with uninterrupted dabigatran (uninterrupted group, male 71, mean age 59.6 ± 14.0) and 124 with interrupted DOACs (interrupted group, male 105, mean age 56.9 ± 12.9) during AF ablation. The initial ACT level, proportion of ACT levels of more than 300 s, and total amount of heparin were compared. Furthermore, the incidence of procedure complications was also evaluated. Results The initial ACT levels were significantly higher in the uninterrupted group, and the total number of ACTs of more than 300 s was significantly higher in the uninterrupted group (uninterrupted vs. interrupted; initial ACT level, 315.6 ± 59.8 vs. 264.5 ± 48.6, p < .001; total number of ACTs ≧300, n [%], 304/ 484 [62.8 %] vs. 372/745 [49.9%], p < .001). The total amount of heparin during procedure was significantly lower in the uninterrupted group (uninterrupted group vs. interrupted group; 12966 ± 4773 vs. 16371 ± 5212, p < .001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups. Conclusions In the catheter ablation of AF, uninterrupted dabigatran would be useful to obtain a stable anticoagulation status during the entire procedure.
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Osawa et al. (2021) conducted a cohort in Atrial fibrillation (n=213). Uninterrupted dabigatran vs. Interrupted DOACs was evaluated on Initial ACT level (p=<0.001). Uninterrupted dabigatran during atrial fibrillation ablation resulted in significantly higher initial ACT levels (315.6 vs 264.5) compared to interrupted DOACs.
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