The aim of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of edoxaban and warfarin for prevention of stroke during a 6-month follow up after total thoracoscopic ablation.
In Korea, 5% of patients older than 65 years and 10% of patients older than 80 have a history of atrial fibrillation (AF), which is often associated with sudden death and stroke. Medication and percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation are commonly used treatment modalities. Pharmacotherapy is primarily symptomatic treatment; moreover, the effect of conversion to a normal rhythm is minimal, and mainly aimed at stabilizing heart rate. Catheter ablation is associated with a high incidence of recurrence in chronic AF, and it is difficult to treat left atrial appendage, thereby preventing discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy post procedure. Thoracoscopic ablation is known to be a less invasive and more effective modality to treat patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. However, anticoagulation therapy is mandatory in the early postoperative period due to intracardiac thromboembolism associated with atrial stunning despite conversion to a sinus rhythm and resection of the left atrial appendage. Further investigation would be required to assess the efficacy and safety of novel oral anticoagulants such as edoxaban compared to that of warfarin for stroke prevention during the early postoperative period (6 months) after a thoracoscopic procedure. The need to maintain a constant level of blood coagulation and the potential development of complications such as hemorrhages are drawbacks associated with the use of warfarin. While novel oral anticoagulants such as edoxaban do have a role in atrial fibrillation, data regarding their effectiveness and incidence of complications after arrhythmia surgery do not exist. In this study, we will compare warfarin and edoxaban with respect to safety and efficacy, after they are used for 6 months following thoracoscopic ablation in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
Samsung Medical Center
Seoul, South Korea
Postoperative stroke
Number of patients showing thromboembolic neurologic complication after thoracoscopic ablation
Time frame: 6 months
Postoperative bleeding
Number of patients showing bleeding events due to anticoagulation after thoracoscopic ablation
Time frame: 6 months
Postoperative pericarditis
Number of patients showing pericarditis requiring readmission after thoracoscopic ablation
Time frame: 6 months
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