Common atrial flutter catheter ablation without discontinuing oral anticoagulation.

Aim: To determine if performing catheter ablation under oral anticoagulation is associated with a higher risk of thromboembolic or bleeding complications. Methods: Patients with common atrial flutter that underwent catheter ablation of the cavo-tricuspid isthmus were consecutively included in the study. All patients were taking oral anticoagulants at least 3 weeks before the ablation. Results: A total of 102 patients (mean age 67.9 ± 10.3 years; 83.3% male) were included. Among them 80.6% patients were taking acenocoumarol, 10.7% dabigatran, 7.8% rivaroxaban and 0.9% apixaban. After the procedure, no new pericardial effusion or major complications were detected. In the study 7.8% of patients had mild hematoma in the puncture site. Conclusion: Performing common atrial flutter catheter ablation under oral anticoagulation is associated with low risk of complications.