Continue taking anticoagulants after Successful Ablation?

[Slattery]

I have have read that some doctors think you should continue taking anticoagulants after a successful Ablation. I thought one of the reasons for an Ablation was to get off medication?

[rosyG]

The medication people refer to is AF meds rather than stroke prevention- anti coagulants.

You should assess your stroke risk- CHADS VASC SCORE- see AFA website and also be guided by your consultant who knows your AF history

If you were taking Acs before ablation because of CHADS VASC score, many doctors think you should continue because the underlying risks are still there- (all things mentioned in Chads Vasc)

[RiderontheStorm]

YES!.. The whole idea of ablation is to normalize your system without the use of drugs. We do take recommended thinners for 3-6 months while the heart heals. Your CHAD score matters also. I am totally off meds after 90 days and that includes the deathly PE I suffered right after the Ablation. Some Dr's think everyone should be on both cholesterol and thinners forever. No thanks.

[Hidden in reply to RiderontheStorm]

That is your choice.

Personally, if I was advised to continue with anti coagulant s then I most certainly would. It is thought that the AF risk still remains after ablation . The ablation simply removes the debilitating symptoms of AF.

Sandra

[BobD Volunteer]

There is actually no evidence to suggest that successful ablation removes stroke risk so if you had such a risk before then why would you want to take a chance. Add in the very real possibility that you may have events you are unaware of and the choice becomes obvious. It is a choice mind so up to you.

[michou]

I was told I would remain on them for the rest of my life - as someone said it is to do with your CHADS score - with AF probably being an addition factor but not the only one; personally I feel safer with anti-coagulants but hope to come off the AF drugs in 3 months or so

[daveeb]

Maybe if you have other problems. I have been anticoagulated since a haemorrhage in 1985,I have also had 2 TIAs and now having the heart trouble I take Pradaxa 110 mg, twice a day. I had an ablation 2015 and still take them due to the possibility of bleeding around the brain.

[Mike-tyson]

I was advised by my Consultant in Cardiology at UHNM Stoke on Trent that his view was all people in their 70's should take a small dose of Warfarin to avoid the risk of having a stroke. I take 3 mg per day which has never been any problem. Just have to have monthly blood test to check my INR level.

[KathFrances]

I recommend the videos on youtube by Dr Sanjay Gupta, a cardiologist at York Cardiology unit. He's done a recent one on the difference between symptoms and risk. With ablation done for Afib, he says that it's done in order to reduce the symptoms. But it doesn't reduce the risks e.g. of stroke. So whether you continue with meds after ablation depends on whether you're taking them to reduce the symptoms or reduce the risks (e.g. anticoagulants). These are two different issues.