The American journal of cardiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of safety of left atrial catheter ablation procedures for atrial arrhythmias under continuous anticoagulation with apixaban versus phenprocoumon.
Apixaban is increasingly used for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. Data about the safety of left atrial radiofrequency ablation procedures under continuous apixaban therapy are lacking. We performed a matched-cohort study of patients undergoing left atrium ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation or left atrial flutter. ⋯ No patient in either group experienced a thromboembolic event and no patient died. In patients on apixaban, no clinical variable was predictive for bleeding complications. Left atrial ablation procedures under continuous oral anticoagulation with apixaban are feasible and as safe as under continuous oral anticoagulation with phenprocoumon.