Termination of anticoagulation therapy at 45 days after concomitant atrial fibrillation catheter ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion resulting in device-related thrombosis and stroke

. 2017 Jan 3;3(1):18–21. doi: 10.1016/j.hrcr.2016.11.008

KEY TEACHING POINTS

•
Concomitant atrial fibrillation catheter ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion is increasing in incidence.
•
There is currently no consensus about the postprocedure anticoagulation regimen for concomitant atrial fibrillation catheter ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion.
•
Based on available evidence, it appears that the current best practice is to treat with at least 2 months of oral anticoagulation followed by 4 months of aspirin and clopidogrel therapy and then lifelong aspirin therapy.
•
A consensus statement on the postprocedure antithrombotic regimen for this procedure is needed quickly to prevent confusion among the health care community.