Asymptomatic cerebral lesions during pulmonary vein isolation under uninterrupted oral anticoagulation

Abstract

Radiofrequency ablation in patients under continued oral therapeutic anticoagulation is associated with a substantial risk of silent embolism detected by cerebral MRI. Therefore, continuation of oral anticoagulation is not able to prevent cerebral embolism. A variety of different clinical and procedural factors seem to contribute to the risk of cerebral lesions.