Thromboembolic prophylaxis protocol with warfarin after radiofrequency catheter ablation of infarct‐related ventricular tachycardia. (25th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Siontis, Konstantinos C.; Jamé, Sina; Sharaf Dabbagh, Ghaith; Latchamsetty, Rakesh; Jongnarangsin, Krit; Morady, Fred; Bogun, Frank M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology. Volume 29:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 584
• Page End: 590
• Publication Date: 2018-01-25
• Subjects: anticoagulation -- antiplatelet therapy -- bleeding risk -- stroke -- thromboembolic prophylaxis -- VT ablation; Blood vessels -- Physiology -- Periodicals; Electrophysiology -- Periodicals; Heart -- Physiology -- Periodicals; 612.1
• DOI: 10.1111/jce.13418
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1045-3873

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Ablation in the left ventricle (LV) is associated with a risk of thromboembolism. There are limited data on the use of specific thromboembolic prophylaxis strategies postablation. We aimed to evaluate a thromboembolic prophylaxis protocol after ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation. Methods and results: The index procedures of 217 patients undergoing ablation for infarct‐related VT with open irrigated‐tip catheters were included. Patients with large LV endocardial ablation area (>3 cm between ablation lesions) were started on low‐dose, slowly escalating unfractionated heparin (UFH) infusion 8 hours after access hemostasis, followed by 3 months of anticoagulation. Patients with less extensive ablation were treated only with antiplatelet agents postablation. Postablation bridging anticoagulation was used in 181 (83%) patients. Of them, 11 (6%) patients experienced bleeding events (1 required endovascular intervention) and 1 (0.6%) experienced lower extremity arterial embolism requiring vascular surgery. Systemic anticoagulation was prescribed in 190 (89%) of 214 patients discharged from the hospital (warfarin in 98%), while the rest received single‐ or dual‐antiplatelet therapy alone. Patients treated with an anticoagulant had significantly longer radiofrequency time compared to patients treated with antiplatelet agents only. One (0.5%) of the patients treated with oral anticoagulation experienced major bleeding 2 weeks postablation. No thromboembolic events were documented in either the anticoagulation or the "antiplatelet only" group postdischarge. Conclusion: A slowly escalating bridging regimen of UFH, followed by 3 months of oral anticoagulation, is associated with low thromboembolic and bleeding risks after infarct‐related VT ablation. In the absence of extensive ablation, antiplatelet therapy alone is reasonable.