Can Anticoagulation Be Stopped After Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation?

Patients with AF are at risk of cerebrovascular embolic events (CVEs) including stroke and transient ischemic attacks. OAT can be effective in preventing CVEs, while catheter ablation is an effective treatment to eliminate AF. Whether OAT can be safely discontinued after successful AF ablation remains a controversial topic. Retrospective studies have suggested that successful AF ablation may mitigate the risk of CVE such that OAT may be discontinued in select patients after AF ablation. In certain patients with AF who undergo successful AF ablation, OAT might be able to be safely discontinued with continued long-term rhythm monitoring.