title: 'The role of novel oral anticoagulants in patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation'.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Peri-procedural thromboembolic (TE) and hemorrhagic events are complications of major concern for patients undergoing cryoballoon (CB) ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). While peri-procedural anticoagulation management could decrease the incidence of these complications, data on CB ablation are scarce. The role of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) has not been thoroughly tested in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, we sought to assess acute peri-procedural complications in patients undergoing CB ablation for AF under different anticoagulation regimens; anticoagulation administration was performed according to the CHA2DS2-VASc score guidelines. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that compares 1) uninterrupted warfarin, 2) bridging therapy with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), 3) aspirin and 4) NOACs in this subgroup of patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NOACs were as effective as uninterrupted warfarin in terms of bleeding complications and TE events. Surprisingly, the aspirin group had more hemorrhagic complications than both the warfarin and NOACs groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the current study, the use of NOACs was an effective and safe approach in CB ablation.
authors.affiliation: Heart Rhythm Management Center, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: yannibalt@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Giannis
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baltogiannis
authors.affiliation: Heart Rhythm Management Center, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Gian-Battista
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Chierchia
authors.affiliation: Heart Rhythm Management Center, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.affiliation: Heart Rhythm Management Center, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sieira
authors.affiliation: Heart Rhythm Management Center, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Giovanni
authors.affiliation: Heart Rhythm Management Center, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciconte
authors.affiliation: Heart Rhythm Management Center, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Asmundis
authors.affiliation: Heart Rhythm Management Center, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Yukio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saitoh
authors.affiliation: Heart Rhythm Management Center, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kristel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wauters
authors.affiliation: Heart Rhythm Management Center, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ghazala
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Irfan
authors.affiliation: Heart Rhythm Management Center, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brugada
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D014859:Warfarin
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Cryoballoon ablation; Novel oral anticoagulants