Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Prevention of venous thromboembolism in right heart–sided electrophysiological procedures: results of an European Heart Rhythm Association survey
Authors' conclusion
The present survey shows that only a minority of operators routinely gives intraprocedural intravenous heparin and prescribes VTE prophylaxis after right-sided EP procedures. Compared to left-sided procedures like atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, there are no consistent systematic antithrombotic management strategies.
Study context
- Population
- Electrophysiological (EP) operators answering an European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) survey on periprocedural management of right-sided EP studies and ablations19-item questionnaire
- Participants
- 244 participants
- Outcome
- Current management of right-sided EP procedures, focusing on anticoagulation and VTE prevention
Methodological detailsonline survey, EHRA
- Online survey
- EHRA
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Ultrasound-guided approach used
more than 2/3 of respondents
Routine venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis during procedure (mostly aspirin and LMWH)
34%
VTE prophylaxis commonly prescribed after discharge (mostly aspirin)
25%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Safety
≥1 deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) related to right-sided ablation or EP study in own centre within the last year
- Participants observing ≥1 DVT
- 13%
- Participants observing ≥1 PE
- 9%
Original publication
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it