Randomized clinical trial revealed lower risk of stroke and major bleeding with anticoagulation discontinuation, suggesting benefits for patients post-ablation.
Key Points
Discontinuing oral anticoagulant therapy results in lower risk of stroke, systemic embolism, and major bleeding.
Primary outcome occurred in 0.3% of patients who discontinued therapy compared to 2.2% who continued therapy, P = .02.
Randomized clinical trial included 840 adults with at least one stroke risk factor, monitored over 2 years.
Findings imply benefits of discontinuation for patients after catheter ablation, needing further validation.