Discontinuation of Anticoagulations After Successful Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation (DESTINATION)

June 2, 2026 updated by: Yan Yao, MD,PhD, China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases

Discontinuation of Anticoagulations After Successful Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: DESTINATION Study

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.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This prospective, international, multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigates the safety and necessity of continuing anticoagulation therapy after successful catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. The study will enroll 3,160 patients who underwent catheter ablation for AF and achieved no recurrence within 6 months to 1 year post-procedure. Participants will be randomly assigned to either continue or discontinue anticoagulation therapy. Smart wearable devices will monitor AF recurrence every 3 months, detecting both symptomatic and asymptomatic events. The study's primary endpoint is a composite of ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, and major bleeding at a 24-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include AF recurrence rates, re-ablation needs, and quality of life measures. Participants are monitored through follow-up visits at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, and data from wearable devices will be transmitted to the research team. This study is significant due to the diversity of the population, with sites in China and the US, allowing for results that are generalizable across ethnic and geographic lines. The trial's findings aim to provide high-quality evidence to inform future guideline recommendations regarding post-ablation anticoagulation therapy, potentially reducing unnecessary bleeding risks and optimizing treatment outcomes. The inclusion of smart wearable monitors enhances the detection of asymptomatic recurrences and provides continuous, reliable data on patient health during the follow-up period.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
3160

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Early Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • China
    • Beijing Municipality
      • Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China, 100037
        • Recruiting
        • Fuwai Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Ligang Ding, dlgang101@163.com
      • Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China, 100011
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Beijing Anzhen Hospital
        • Contact:
    • Guangdong
      • Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
        • Not yet recruiting
        • The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University
        • Contact:
      • Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
        • Recruiting
        • Fuwai Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
          • Zhongpeng Du, Phd
          • Phone Number: 18819045381
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Yan Yao, ianyao@263.net.cn
    • Henan
      • Zhengzhou, Henan, China
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital
        • Contact:
    • Hubei
      • Wuhan, Hubei, China
        • Recruiting
        • Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital
        • Contact:
    • Shanghai Municipality
      • Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Shanghai Chest Hospital
        • Contact:
    • Shanxi
      • Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital (Shanxi Cardiovascular Research Institute)
        • Contact:
    • Sichuan
      • Chengdu, Sichuan, China
        • Not yet recruiting
        • West China Hospital, Sichuan University
        • Contact:
    • Yunnan
      • Kunming, Yunnan, China
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Yunnan Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital
        • Contact:
    • Zhejiang
      • Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
        • Recruiting
        • Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
        • Contact:
  • United States
    • Massachusetts
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Brigham and Women Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Paul Zei, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 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 Criteria:

  • 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

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: on-OAC
In the cohort assigned to the "on-OAC" arm, which entails the continuation of Oral Anticoagulant (OAC) therapy, patients were prescribed Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs), specifically dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban, for a duration of 24 months following randomization. The dosing regimen was as follows: (1) Standard dosage included rivaroxaban at 20mg daily, apixaban at 5mg twice daily, and dabigatran at 150mg twice daily. (2) Reduced dosage was administered in cases where patients were aged over 75 years, had a body weight less than 50kg, or exhibited creatinine clearance below 50ml/min.
Drug: Anticoagulant drugs
Participants in the continuation arm will receive oral anticoagulant drugs such as dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, warfarin, etc. tailored to their specific risk profiles. The discontinuation arm will cease anticoagulation therapy following randomization. Smart wearable devices will monitor for AF recurrence, and patients will be followed for 24 months, with primary endpoints including thromboembolic and bleeding events.
Procedure: Catheter Ablation
Catheter ablation is a medical procedure used to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) by targeting and destroying small areas of heart tissue that cause irregular heartbeats. Using a specialized catheter, radiofrequency energy, cryotherapy, or pulsed field ablation (PFA) is applied to isolate the pulmonary veins or ablate other specific heart areas. The goal is to restore normal heart rhythm by electrically isolating problematic areas responsible for AF. This FDA-regulated procedure is minimally invasive and requires follow-up monitoring for AF recurrence and other potential complications. No specific ablation technique is mandated, allowing flexibility for operators to choose based on their expertise and center practices. The ablation strategy may include pulmonary vein isolation or additional procedures based on the type of AF. This approach distinguishes the study by providing real-world applicability, reflecting the diversity of ablation methods used in clinical practice.
Experimental: off-OAC
In the off-OAC, involving the discontinuation of OAC therapy, patients had their OAC treatment terminated post-randomization, and no placebo medication was administered as a substitute.
Procedure: Catheter Ablation
Catheter ablation is a medical procedure used to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) by targeting and destroying small areas of heart tissue that cause irregular heartbeats. Using a specialized catheter, radiofrequency energy, cryotherapy, or pulsed field ablation (PFA) is applied to isolate the pulmonary veins or ablate other specific heart areas. The goal is to restore normal heart rhythm by electrically isolating problematic areas responsible for AF. This FDA-regulated procedure is minimally invasive and requires follow-up monitoring for AF recurrence and other potential complications. No specific ablation technique is mandated, allowing flexibility for operators to choose based on their expertise and center practices. The ablation strategy may include pulmonary vein isolation or additional procedures based on the type of AF. This approach distinguishes the study by providing real-world applicability, reflecting the diversity of ablation methods used in clinical practice.
Behavioral: discontinue anticoagulation therapy
Participants in the discontinuation arm will cease anticoagulation therapy following randomization. Smart wearable devices will monitor for AF recurrence, and patients will be followed for 24 months, with primary endpoints including thromboembolic and bleeding events.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Composite outcome consisting of thromboembolic events and clinically significant bleeding events
Time Frame: 24 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).
24 month

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
AF Recurrence Rate
Time Frame: 24 month
Percentage of patients with documented AF recurrence at 2 years.
24 month
Repeat Ablation Proportion
Time Frame: 24 month
Percentage of patients undergoing repeat ablation within each group
24 month
Thromboembolic/Bleeding Event Rates after repeat procedure
Time Frame: 24 month
Percentage of patients with Thromboembolic and Bleeding events after repeat ablation in each group
24 month
Thromboembolic/Bleeding Event Rates after recurrence in off-OAC
Time Frame: 24 month
Percentage of patients with thromboembolic and bleeding event rates in patients resuming anticoagulation therapy due to AF recurrence in the no anticoagulation group
24 month
Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE)
Time Frame: 24 month
Number of MACE events including acute coronary syndrome, acute myocardial infarction (MI), serious arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality in each group
24 month
Complication rates
Time Frame: 24 month
Incidence rates of complications include bleeding, cardiac tamponade, vascular damage, pulmonary vein stenosis, stroke or thromboembolism, heart block, esophageal injury, infection, etc. based on different ablation method
24 month

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 5, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
January 1, 2029

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 31, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 22, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 24, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
September 26, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 4, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 2, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • NCRCSZ-2023-011

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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