Why the study?
Spontaneous echo contrast in the left atrial appendage increases cerebral embolism risk in AF, and it was unknown whether NOACs decrease SEC incidence compared to VKAs.
Do NOACs decrease the incidence of spontaneous echo contrast compared to VKAs in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter ablation?
Do NOACs decrease the incidence of spontaneous echo contrast compared to VKAs in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter ablation?
NOAC use was associated with lower SEC incidence; hypothesis-generating and should not yet inform anticoagulation choice in AF ablation.
Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in the left atrial appendage (LAA) is associated with an increased risk of cerebral embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are increasingly prescribed as first-line therapy and have shown a comparable benefit–risk ratio compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). The aim of this study was to investigate whether NOACs decrease the incidence of SEC compared to VKA.
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Christian et al. (2019) studied this question.
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