According to a new study that was published December 12, 2012 online in Heart and Rhythm, stopping dabigatran treatment in AF patients 24 hours before a catheter ablation and until 4 hours after the ablation is as safe and effective as administering warfarin.

“In patients receiving dabigatran, it appears to be safe to proceed with radiofrequency ablation as long as dabigatran is administered with the specified protocol and patient compliance is confirmed,” says Dr. Jin-Seok Kim (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor). “Although a specific antidote for dabigatran is not available, the outcomes of serious complications such as pericardial tamponade do not appear to be any different with dabigatran than with warfarin.”

For this study, researchers analyzed data collected from 191 participating AF patients who had undergone AF ablations and who were taking dabigatran for perioperative anticoagulation. The patients were then given 150mg doses of the drug in the morning the day before the ablation. They were then told to skip the nighttime dose as well as the dose for the morning of the ablation. Four hours after the procedure, the patients were given another dose of the dabigatran. Another group was given a steady treatment of warfarin, without skipping any doses. What the researchers found was that the dabigatran group fared better than the warfarin group.

Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that causes patients to suffer from an irregular or fluttering heartbeat. The condition is often treated with anticoagulants like warfarin and Multaq, as well as catheter ablations. Multaq is made by Sanofi-Aventis and has been linked to serious side effects, which include a worsening of the heart condition, liver failure, lung disease and pulmonary toxicity. All of the side effects are potentially fatal.

If you or a loved one has suffered from liver failure, a worsening of the heart condition, lung disease or pulmonary toxicity after taking Multaq, contact attorney Greg Jones for a free consultation today. I am experienced at fighting Multaq lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your injuries.