The Activation of Platelet Function, Coagulation, and Fibrinolysis during Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Heparinized Patients

Abstract

Procedure duration prior to heparin administration, and not the delivery of RF current per se, determines activation of hemostasis and fibrinolysis during RF ablation.

Delayed Thrombogenesis Following Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation.

“…The hemostasis that occurs with the placement of catheters has been described, 6,7,16,17 with some investigators correlating it with the duration of the pre-heparin procedure, as was seen in the present study. 7 Another report showed that platelet aggregability increased during RF current delivery, 9 and Manolis et al showed that RF-CA provoked an elevation in the D-dimer concentration by 48 h after the procedure.…”

“…7 Another report showed that platelet aggregability increased during RF current delivery, 9 and Manolis et al showed that RF-CA provoked an elevation in the D-dimer concentration by 48 h after the procedure. 8 These previous studies have not fully elucidated the influence of the RF current on thrombus formation nor have they observed the delayed phase of thrombogenesis.…”

“…According to our results, the elevation of the D-dimer concentration reported by Manolis et al might represent the delayed phase, but comparison of the present and previous studies depends on the anticoagulation regimen, including the administration of heparin and low molecular weight heparin. 7,8,17 …”

Prevention and Treatment of Thrombosis in Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease

“…The benefit of heparinization administration during catheter ablation procedures is unclear, with several reports demonstrating either no benefit or no enhanced benefit with earlier heparin administration after placement of sheaths. 544,556,557 Epstein et al 558 demonstrated a low incidence of embolic complications among 758 pediatric and congenital patients from 11 centers. A wide variety of anticoagulation protocols was used, but all used heparin for left-side ablations.…”

Surgical Treatment of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation—Unipolar Radiofrequency Ablation versus Cryoablation, and Left Atrial versus Bi‐atrial Maze Procedures

“…Gillinov and colleagues, 34) and Mohr and colleagues 35) reported esophageal injuries associated with unipolar RF ablation, and microembolization and hemostatic activation in percutaneous RF catheter ablation were reported by Anfinsen and colleagues, 36) and Kok and colleagues. 37) Since it is possible that such complications occur in the Maze procedure, we minimize the blood around the RF probe and routinely irrigate the left atrium with saline solution after RF ablation in order to wash out char.…”