Apixaban and Ablation

[Arabella63]

Hi, hope you are all well.

I am having cryo-ablation tomorrow and was due to go in at 8am for the procedure. This has now been changed to 11am.

The nurse that I spoke to a couple a few weeks ago said to carry on with Apixaban as normal. I usually take it twice a day at 10am and 10pm. I was going to ask when admitted whether I should take as usual at 10am. Now I am going in at 11am, I just feel unsure and confused what to do now.

Is anyone able to please share with me what their experience was? Did you take your anticoagulent so close to an ablation?

Thank you so much

[BobD Volunteer]

Take it as normal as instructed.

[mjames1]

Things have changed. "Normal" before meant taking it the night before. "Normal" now, means taking it an hour before the procedure. Big difference. Speak to the nurse as they may want you to hold the 10am dose, which is often the case. Personally, I was told to hold the morning dose before my ablation.

Jim

[Afibflipper]

I had my ablation last November & had to be there for 7am. I was nil by mouth from midnight as I was having general anaesthetic but told tiny sips of water before 6am just to take my morning medications with - Apixaban was taken that morning around 5:45am - I was first on the list at 9am. They will have told you of what not to take at your preop assessment - if you know which ward you’re being admitted to you could call them as they’ll have your notes there already for when consultant comes round for signing consent form. Hope all goes well for you x

[4chickens]

Every EP seems to follow a different protocol re apixaban. Good luck today

[Declin]

Seems to be a lot of variance/leeway as to when a last dose should be taken, I had a midday appointment and was told not to take my morning dose. Good luck with the procedure, hope all goes smoothly fir you 😀

[Jajarunner]

I was told to take mine as usual. I was ward for 7 am and due to take it at 8 am but the nurse wouldn't let me as I was nil by mouth. So I just toldboth EPs, and everybody else I saw en route that I hadn't taken it. They were completely unbothered so I assume it means it didn't matter! Best to check with the ward team in advance though. Hope it goes well for you xx

[dmac4646 in reply to Jajarunner]

Been told to skip on morning of ablation.

[Beta44]

Prof. Schilling told me to carry on with normal anti coagulant as he would much sooner deal with a bleed rather than a stroke although either extremely unlikely.

[wilsond]

I was given incorrect info at the pre med. I was told to take Aprixaban before 6 am for a late morning ablation. What I should have been told was to take 6pm the evening before.

My heart sank when I was being prepared for ablation and I was asked about meds.

However, it was not a worry as they made a note for the surgeon and it was carried out no problems. They must be able to tweak something 🤔

Take as instructed . Best wishes I am very glad I had it done xx

[MarkS]

The usual practice now is to continue anticoagulation as normal. This is important to reduce the number of micro-emboli that are generated in the ablation, which can produce long term effects.