Uninterrupted Dabigatran Administration Provides Greater Inhibition against Intracardiac Activation of Hemostasis as Compared to Vitamin K Antagonists during Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Background. Cerebral thromboembolism is a rare but feared complication of transcatheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Here, we aimed to test which pre-procedural anticoagulation strategy results in less intracardiac activation of hemostasis during ablation. Patients and methods. In this observational study, 54 paroxysmal/persistent AF patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation were grouped according to their periprocedural anticoagulation strategy: no anticoagulation (oral anticoagulation (OAC) free; n = 24), uninterrupted vitamin K antagonists (VKA) (n = 11), uninterrupted dabigatran (n = 17). Blood was drawn from the left atrium before and immediately after the ablation procedure. Cryoablations were performed according to standard protocols, during which heparin was administered. Heparin-insensitive markers of hemostasis and endothelial damage were tested from intracardiac samples: D-dimer, quantitative fibrin monomer (FM), plasmin-antiplasmin complex (PAP), von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen, chromogenic factor VIII (FVIII) activity. Results. D-dimer increased significantly in all groups post-ablation, with lowest levels in the dabigatran group (median [interquartile range]: 0.27 [0.36] vs. 1.09 [1.30] and 0.74 [0.26] mg/L in OAC free and uninterrupted VKA groups, respectively, p < 0.001). PAP levels were parallel to this observation. Post-ablation FM levels were elevated in OAC free (26.34 [30.04] mg/L) and VKA groups (10.12 [16.01] mg/L), but remained below cut-off in all patients on dabigatran (3.98 [2.0] mg/L; p < 0.001). VWF antigen and FVIII activity increased similarly post-ablation in all groups, suggesting comparable procedure-related endothelial damage. Conclusion. Dabigatran provides greater inhibition against intracardiac activation of hemostasis as compared to VKAs during cryoballoon catheter ablation.

Feasibility and clinical benefits of the double-ProGlide technique for hemostasis after cryoballoon atrial fibrillation ablation with uninterrupted oral anticoagulants

“…[22,23] Yet, in order to avoid thromboembolic complications, minimizing time without anticoagulation is clearly recommended. [24][25][26] Some reports have indicated that an uninterrupted OAC strategy during cryoballoon AF ablation is effective and safe. [27,28] While a recent study concerning on the combination of cryoballoon ablation and uninterrupted OAC showed an increased incidence of the femoral access-site complications in patients using the figure to eight suture technique for hemostasis followed by a 4 h bed rest.…”

Right superior pulmonary vein parameter determined by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography is an independent predictor of the outcome after cryoballoon isolation of the pulmonary veins

“…The methodology of CB-ablation at the current center has been described in detail [ 19 , 20 ]. All procedures were performed with a 28 mm CBG2 (Arctic Front Advance™, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA).…”