Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation with uninterrupted anticoagulation: a meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials

AIMS: Uninterrupted anticoagulation is recommended during the ablation of atrial fibrillation. This meta-analysis compared the safety and efficacy of uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) to uninterrupted vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) during atrial fibrillation ablation. METHODS: The meta-analysis included eligible randomized controlled trials from 2009 to 2019. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were pooled using a random effects model and a sensitivity analysis was performed by sequentially removing one study or DOAC at a time. RESULTS: Six studies were included; 1288 received DOAC and 1081 VKA. Pooled ORs indicated a lower nonsignificant incidence in DOACs vs. VKA of composite outcome of major bleeding, stroke, or transient ischemic attack, and mortality (0.69; 0.28-1.71; 31 vs. 45 events), major bleeding alone (0.66; 0.30-1.47; 27 vs. 41 events), and cardiac tamponade (0.56; 0.21-1.45; eight vs. 13 events) with a slightly higher occurrence of minor bleeding (1.17; 0.89-1.56; 139 vs. 106 events) and silent cerebral thromboembolic events (1.12; 0.75-1.66; 72 vs. 58 among 442 and 376 patients performing MRI study). Sensitivity analyses confirmed overall results: pooled ORs ranged from 0.56 to 1.00 for the composite outcome and from 0.54 to 0.92 for major bleedings. CONCLUSION: Uninterrupted DOAC is a safe and effective alternative to uninterrupted VKA during atrial fibrillation ablation.