Rivaroxaban prior to ablation

Hi there all you afibbers, I have been put on Rivaroxaban 20 mg daily prior to my ablation. I have to take it for 4 weeks before the ablation and at least 2 weeks after. Is this what they usually prescribe? Has anyone else had any experience of it please? Thanks.

[Hidden]

It's me again. I should have mentioned I am a 58 year old female with a chads score of zero. Thanks.

[Hidden]

It's one of the anticoagulants they usually prescribe. One of the alternatives is Warfarin and if you get on well with Warfarin it's fine but its effect wavers and it is possible to wander out of the therapeutic range and this can delay an ablation. Rivaroxaban should keep you on the straight and narrow, doesn't need testing and most people get on well with it.

Take it in the middle of a proper meal - preferably one which has something fatty in it - and avoid eating grapefruit.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

OK. Thanks for your sound advice. Much appreciated.

[BobD Volunteer]

Lucky you! In my day it was three months of warfarin at a set INR or they would not do it. The risk of clots forming in the heart and being ejected during the ablation and causing a stroke are very high unless you are protected in this way. To be honest two weeks post ablation does not seem long either so don't be surprised if that changes . Don't forget to read our Recovering From Ablation fact sheet.

[Hidden]

Thanks for that Bob. It's great to get help from others who have gone through the same. I'll have a look at the fact sheet now. Thanks.

[Hidden]

Thanks Tim. I'll have to wait and see what they want me to do afterwards. Hope it works - I don't want another!

[Brizzy50000]

Hi had my ablation in May I was put on rivaroxaban before my ablation, but it was a year on the waiting list before I got my op and because of my age a few months off of 65 I will be on rivaroxaban for the rest of my life which I have no problem with as it has not caused any problems with me.

[Hidden in reply to Brizzy50000]

Thanks for your reply Brizzy. I have been waiting for 15 months. I expect I will be on Rivaroxaban for some time afterwards too.

[KMRobbo]

I had to take A/C dabigatran 25 days before and 3 months after ablation

[Hidden in reply to KMRobbo]

Hi, all consultants seem to have different preferences. I'll have to wait and see what mine says. Thanks.

[Sportfix]

Yes, I have taken Rivaroxaban for over 2 years. I’ve had 2 ablations- the second of which seemed to put everything right. I took Riveroxaban before, during and after ablations. No pause in taking them. All fine. Good luck with your ablation.

[Hidden in reply to Sportfix]

Hi, I'm pleased that you haven't had any problems with this drug and that your second ablation has been a success. Thanks for your kind wishes.

[Tapanac]

Yes I was started on Rivaroxaban which the medics deemed better than warfarin for 6 weeks prior to my cardioversion and when because of hospital error re tablets, I had to stay on it for another 3 months before an ablation. 5 months later I am still on it and I'm told once you start on blood thinners you have to stay on them for life. True or false I don't know, but I did originally worry about bleed -v- clot

Good luck to you for your a lation

[Hidden in reply to Tapanac]

Hi Tapanac, thanks for your reply. If I have to stay on this medication long term then that's OK. I have read that the damage caused by a clot ( ie stroke ) is much quicker than that of a bleed. I'm not a professional so I don't know if this is true but all we can do is follow medical advice. I'll let you all know how I get on with my ablation. Thanks for your kind wishes.

[Tapanac]

All the very best to you

[Hidden in reply to Tapanac]

Thanks.

[mswillow]

I wiuld say good thing as my ablations were cancelled many times as was on wafrin an it was all over place was nightmare an frustrating so rivaroxaban id good take it once a day job done no monitor of it no risk cancelled procedure... they put me on it after ablation stil take it now 15mg a day.. eould see it as a positive for sure.. no risk of you not having done due to inr not right.. goif luck..

[Hidden in reply to mswillow]

Many thanks for your reply and kind wishes. I will post again after my ablation.