Journal of interventional cardiac electrophysiology : an international journal of arrhythmias and pacing
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J Interv Card Electrophysiol · Mar 2017
Review Meta AnalysisMeta-analysis of efficacy and safety of apixaban and uninterrupted apixaban therapy compared to vitamin K antagonists in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.
Apixaban is a Factor Xa inhibitor increasingly being used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). Although several studies have been done, the efficacy and safety of apixaban during the peri-procedural period of AF ablation remains unclear. We sought to systematically review pooled data from these various studies to evaluate thromboembolic and bleeding risks in patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF who are treated with apixaban (interrupted and uninterrupted). ⋯ Our study demonstrates patients treated with apixaban and VKA during the peri-procedural period for AF ablation have similar rates of TE and bleeding complications. Interrupted and uninterrupted apixaban strategies were associated with similar outcomes.