Effectiveness and safety of anticoagulant therapy with dabigatran etexilate in patients after radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulant therapy with dabigatran etexilate in patient after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods A cohort of 120 patients who underwent RFCA of AF was enrolled. The 120 patients were divided into dabigatran group (60 patients) and warfarin Group (60 patients). In dabigatran etexilate group, dabigatran etexilate (110 mg or 150 mg, bid) was given for at least 2 month. In warfarin group, standard medication of warfarin was given for at least 2 months by adjusting the INR in the range between 2.0 and 3.0. All the patients took the same anticoagulant during the whole period of anticoagulation therapy. Results ①There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between two groups except the systolic blood pressure.②There were no significant differences between 2 groups in the death and thromboembolism events, including cerebral, systemic and pulmonary emboli (none in both groups). There were no TIMI major bleeding events in both groups. There were no significant differences in minor bleeding events between two groups (2/60 vs 4/60) (P>0.05). The length of hospital stay (including both total and post-ablation hospital stay) was significantly shorter in dabigatran etexilate group than in warfarin group. Conclusion Compared with oral warfarin, the effectiveness and safety of oral dabigatran etexilate had similar effect in the patients after RFCA of AF. Dabigatran etexilate could be safely and effectively used in AF patients with low or middle risk of thromboembolism after RFCA, and could significantly decrease the length of hospital stay. Key words: Atrial fibrillation; Radiofrequency catheter ablation; Oral anticoagulant; Warfarin; Dabigatran etexilate