Impact of periprocedural anticoagulation strategy on the incidence of new-onset silent cerebral events after radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Background Silent cerebral events (SCEs) have been observed on diffusion-weighted cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a substantial number of asymptomatic patients after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures. The purpose of this study was to investigate if periprocedural oral anticoagulation (OAC) management affects the incidence of new-onset SCE after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of AF. Methods and results One hundred ninety-two consecutive patients (64 +/- 10.1 years, 38.5% women) with symptomatic paroxysmal (n=80, 41.7 %) or persistent AF undergoing RFCA of AF were prospectively enrolled. Periprocedural anticoagulation strategies were defined as uninterrupted use of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) (group I, n = 64), interrupted use of NOACs (group II, n = 42), continuation of vitamin K antagonist (VKA) with an international normalized ratio (INR) between 2.0 and 3.0 (group III, n= 43), and VKA discontinuation bridged with low molecular weight heparin (group IV, n = 43). Cerebral MRI was performed 1 to 2 days after RFCA for detection of new SCE. Overall, new SCEs were detected in 41 patients (21.4 %) after AF ablation. New SCEs were detected in 12.5 % in group I, 35.7 % in group II, 18.6 % in group III, and 23.3 % in group IV (p< 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed persistent AF and discontinuation of periprocedural OAC (group II and IV) to be independent predictors for the development of SCE. No relevant complications were identified. Conclusions Periprocedural continuation of NOAC as well as continuation of VKA seems to be safe and significantly reduce the occurrence of SCE after AF ablation.