Back to search results

DESTINATION Study: Anticoagulation After Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

This study, called the DESTINATION Study, is looking at whether people still need to take blood thinners (anticoagulation therapy) after a successful catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). Catheter ablation is a procedure that fixes irregular heartbeats. Currently, many people continue blood thinners even after a successful ablation, which can increase bleeding risks. This study will compare people who stop taking blood thinners after their ablation with those who continue taking them (like dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, or warfarin). We want to see if stopping blood thinners is safe and if it reduces the risk of bleeding without increasing the risk of stroke. The study plans to enroll 3,160 adults aged 18 or older who have had a successful ablation and no AF recurrence for 6 months to 1 year. The main goal is to see how many people have blood clots or serious bleeding events over 24 months.

Study design
This is an international, multi-center study where 3,160 participants will be randomly assigned to either continue or stop their blood thinner medication. It is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a specific treatment plan.
What's involved
Participants will be followed for 24 months, with smart wearable devices monitoring for AF recurrence every 3 months. There will be follow-up visits at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 24 months to assess for blood clots and bleeding events, as well as AF recurrence and quality of life.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06615596

Discontinuation of Anticoagulations After Successful Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Recruiting
EARLY_PHASE1Ages 18+InterventionalTreatment
China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases
~3,160 participants
Updated 2026-06-04 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:discontinue anticoagulation therapyAnticoagulant drugsCatheter Ablation

At a glance

Recruiting sites
4 of 12 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Composite outcome consisting of thromboembolic events and clinically significant bleeding events
Measured over 24 month

Conditions

Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

Explore related trials

Atrial Fibrillation

NCT06615596

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 12 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Beijing Anzhen Hospital

    Beijing, Beijing Municipality, Chinastudy coordinator listed

    Not yet recruiting

  • Brigham and Women Hospital

    Boston, Massachusettsstudy coordinator listed

    Not yet recruiting

  • Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital

    Zhengzhou, Henan, Chinastudy coordinator listed

    Not yet recruiting

  • Fuwai Hospital

    Beijing, Beijing Municipality, Chinastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Fuwai Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen

    Shenzhen, Guangdong, Chinastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Shanghai Chest Hospital

    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, Chinastudy coordinator listed

    Not yet recruiting

  • Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital (Shanxi Cardiovascular Research Institute)

    Taiyuan, Shanxi, Chinastudy coordinator listed

    Not yet recruiting

  • Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine

    Hangzhou, Zhejiang, Chinastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Who to contact

Yan Yao, PhD
[email protected]
13901121319
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Want this trial checked against your situation?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age ≥18 years
Diagnosed paroxysmal, persistent, or longstanding persistent AF
Successful procedure (defined as restoration of sinus rhythm after PV isolation for paroxysmal AF, restoration of sinus rhythm after PV isolation and completion of additional ablation for persistent AF, according to 2017 HRS/EHRA/ECAS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation) and no recurrence within 3 months of ablation, using a cooled tip RF-, laser- or cryo-balloon-catheter
No periprocedural complications
Signed informed consent
Male with CHA2DS2-VASC score ≥1, female with score ≥2.

Exclusion

Valvular AF (moderate- severe mitral insufficiency; relevant mitral stenosis with a mean pressure gradient \>5mmHg)
Reversible AF (e.g. uncontrolled hyperthyroidism)
Prior AF ablation (including surgical ablation)
History of left atrial appendage occlusion/ligation/excision
Concomitant surgical ablation
Left atrial diameter \>50 mm
Left atrial or LAA thrombus
Pregnancy/breast feeding
Women of childbearing age who refuse to use a highly effective and medically acceptable form of contraception throughout the study
Patient has a non-arrhythmic condition necessitating long-term oral anticoagulation (i.e. PE, ventricular thrombus, peripheral thrombosis, etc)
Recent myocardial infarction, NYHA class IV heart failure, patent foramen ovale, recent trauma or other prothrombotic conditions
Patient with special risk factors for stroke unrelated to AF, specifically known thrombophilia/ hypercoagulability, uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure \>180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure \>100 mmHg within 4 days of enrollment), untreated familial hyperlipidemia, known vascular anomaly (intracranial aneurysm/ arteriovenous malformation or chronic vascular dissection), or known severe carotid disease.
Patient has bleeding contra-indication to oral anticoagulation (such as bleeding diathesis, hemorrhagic disorder, significant gastrointestinal bleeding within 6 months, intracranial/intraocular/ atraumatic bleeding history, fibrinolysis within 48 hours of enrollment).
Patient has other contraindication to oral anticoagulation or treatment with antiplatelet agent
Patient has been on strong CYP3A inducers (such as rifampicin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, or carbamazepine) or strong CYP3A inhibitors (such as ketoconazole or protease inhibitors) within 4 days of enrolment
Structural congenital heart disease
Recent stroke or intracranial hemorrhage within 6 months
Inability to adequately understand nature, significance, implications and risks of study precipitation and to comply with follow-up (i.e. bipolar disorders, severe depression, suicidal tendencies, among others) as judged by the local physician, ongoing drug or alcohol addiction (\> 8 drinks/week)
Patients who are \> 85 years of age
Patients who are critically ill or who have a life expectancy \<3 years
Patient is unable or unwilling to provide informed consent
Patient is included in another randomized clinical trial or a clinical trial requiring an insurance

What this trial measures

  • Composite outcome consisting of thromboembolic events and clinically significant bleeding events24 month

    The primary endpoint of this study comprises a composite outcome consisting of thromboembolic events and clinically significant bleeding events. Specifically, it encompasses the following components: 1. Incidence of ischemic stroke and systemic thromboembolism within the 2-year post-ablation period in each respective study group. 2. Incidence of clinically significant bleeding within the 2-year post-ablation period in each respective study group. Unit of Measure: Number of events (strokes, systemic embolism, major bleeding episodes).