Apixaban

[AFADVISE]

Hi everyone,

I have recently had an ablation and have come off Bisoprolol and wandered if anyone has come off Apixaban too?

[CDreamer]

I did after I hadn’t had AF for over 12 months - much to the reluctance of my EP - had a TIA 9 months later. I couldn’t get back on it quick enough so I say this with hindsight - I wouldn’t.

That’s only my experience and advice will vary dependant upon country, your age and your CHADS score? What does your EP say about it?

There is no clear evidence that even a successful ablation will reduce your risk of stroke after ablation and medical opinion seems to vary with European cardiologists tending to be more cautious about staying on anticoagulants. I remember someone on here, @BobD ? saying that the decision of stopping anticoagulants depended upon fear rather than logic - ie:- which do you fear most - a bleed or a clot?

I go with that, I’m much more frightened of stroke from a clot. I would say the choice was taken away as soon as AF returned.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to CDreamer]

Bang on CD. I remember being told years ago by the Prof who invented CHADSVASC system that doctors fear bleeds and patients fear stroke. Make sense when you think that doctors don't suffer the stroke but have to work damned hard to deal with a bleed.

[pissonya in reply to BobD]

I've had the stroke and a very successful ablation for afib and aflutter. Docs said do you want to quit Apixaban? NO

[etheral]

An ablation may lessen the atrial fib for a while,but doesn't affect the underlying cardiovascular disease that leads to threat of a clot. I don't know of any cardiologist who would recommend stopping apixban in that situation.

[Hidden]

It all depends on what your CHADs score is. If it’s zero and you were only put on Apixaban for a short period either side of your ablation then with your medics advice, it may be safe to stop. However, if your score is 1 or above and you were taking it anyway, nothing has changed for the reasons outlined by others…….

[Foxey2]

My CHAD score is 1 and I had an ablation in October 2021, my cardiologist wanted to stop my Rivaroxaban but I have a big history of AFib and stroke in my family so I told him I wasn’t happy with stopping. He has agreed to keep me on it until my review with him in May.