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Current Cardiology Reviews

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1573-403X
ISSN (Online): 1875-6557

Review Article

Are Some Anticoagulants More Equal Than Others? - Evaluating the Role of Novel Oral Anticoagulants in AF Ablation

Author(s): Rajiv Sankaranarayanan and David J. Fox

Volume 12, Issue 4, 2016

Page: [330 - 335] Pages: 6

DOI: 10.2174/1573403X12666160505113755

Price: $65

Abstract

Left atrial ablation strategies are being increasingly performed as a Class 1 therapeutic indication for drug refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Traditionally AF ablation has been performed with patients on uninterrupted warfarin therapy, however over the last few years, novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have emerged as attractive alternatives to warfarin in order to reduce stroke risk due to AF. NOACs are therefore increasingly being used instead of warfarin in the management of AF. There is also mounting evidence mainly in the form of small randomised studies and meta-analysis that have demonstrated that the use of NOACs for AF ablation is efficacious, safe and convenient. However the peri-procedural dosing protocols used in various studies especially in terms of whether NOAC use is interrupted or uninterrupted during AF ablation, have significant inter-operator and inter-institution variability. Currently there is also a lack of randomised controlled trials to validate the data obtained from meta-analyses. There is also evidence that use of NOACs may increase the requirement of unfractionated heparin during the procedure. This review article shall examine the currently available evidence-base, appraise the gaps in the current evidence and also underscore the need for larger randomised clinical trials in this rapidly developing field.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation, thromboembolism, stroke, bleeding, ablation.

Graphical Abstract

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