Discontinuation of Anticoagulations After Successful Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

The DESTINATION Study investigates whether anticoagulation therapy is necessary after successful catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF). Current guidelines recommend continued anticoagulation based on stroke risk scores, even post-ablation, potentially exposing patients to unnecessary bleeding risks. This international, multicenter, randomized controlled trial aims to compare thromboembolic and bleeding event risks between patients who continue and discontinue anticoagulation after ablation. The study involves 3,160 AF patients, all free of AF recurrence within 6 months to 1 year after ablation. Smart wearable monitors will track recurrence, and patients are followed for 24 months to assess event rates. Findings may reshape anticoagulation guidelines, improving clinical practice for AF patients worldwide.

NCT Number	NCT06615596
Lead Sponsor	China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases
Conditions	Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
Enrollment	3,160 participants
Start Date	2025-08-05
Primary Completion	2029-01-01 (estimated)
Study Completion	2029-12-31 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-06-04