This is a multi-center, prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial (STEP-AF) designed to evaluate the safety of a stepwise anticoagulation strategy compared with the guideline-recommended standard anticoagulation regimen in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation at high thromboembolic risk (CHA₂DS₂-VASc score ≥2) undergoing cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation. A total of 424 eligible patients will be randomized 1:1 to either the stepwise anticoagulation group (reduced-dose NOAC from 24 hours post-surgery to day 7, followed by standard-dose NOAC) or the standard anticoagulation group (standard-dose NOAC resumed 24 hours post-surgery). The primary endpoint is the incidence of clinically significant pocket hematoma within 30 days after surgery. Secondary endpoints include individual components of the primary endpoint and other composite outcomes of major perioperative bleeding events. The study aims to provide evidence-based data for optimizing perioperative anticoagulation regimens in Chinese patients undergoing CIED implantation.
Aged 18 years or older at the time of screening, and able to provide written informed consent;
Scheduled for any CIED procedure (implantation or generator replacement), including pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices;
Receiving NOAC therapy for at least 5 consecutive days prior to enrollment;
Diagnosed with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (and/or atrial flutter) with a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score ≥2, or scheduled for cardioversion or defibrillation threshold testing during the CIED procedure.
Presence of active systemic or local infection at the time of screening;
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min, or any other contraindication to NOAC use;
Active bleeding (e.g., gastrointestinal bleeding);
Severe thrombocytopenia, defined as platelet count < 50 × 10⁹/L at screening;
Parallel
Stepwise Anticoagulation Regimen
DrugExperimental Regimen: For participants randomized to the stepwise anticoagulation group: 1. Discontinue edoxaban/rivaroxaban 1 day before CIED surgery (i.e., the last dose is administered on the day before surgery); 2. Resume reduced-dose edoxaban/rivaroxaban 24 hours after surgery: (1) For edoxaban: 15mg once daily for patients with standard 30mg dose, 30mg once daily for patients with standard 60mg dose; (2) For rivaroxaban: 10mg once daily for patients with standard 15mg dose, 15mg once daily for patients with standard 20mg dose. 3. Continue reduced-dose edoxaban/rivaroxaban until suture removal on postoperative day 7; 4. Resume standard-dose edoxaban (30mg/60mg once daily) or rivaroxaban (15mg/20mg once daily) after suture removal. Standard dose reduction criteria are defined per the study protocol based on renal function, body weight, age, concomitant medications, and antiplatelet therapy.
Standard Anticoagulation Regimen
DrugActive Comparator Regimen: For participants randomized to the standard anticoagulation group: 1. Discontinue edoxaban/rivaroxaban 1 day before CIED surgery(i.e., the last dose is administered on the day before surgery); 2. Resume full standard-dose edoxaban (30mg/60mg once daily) or rivaroxaban (15mg/20mg once daily) 24 hours after surgery; 3. Continue standard-dose edoxaban/rivaroxaban throughout the 30-day follow-up period. Standard dose criteria are defined per the study protocol based on renal function, body weight, age, concomitant medications, and antiplatelet therapy.
Incidence of Clinically Significant Pocket Hematoma
Clinically significant pocket hematoma is defined as hematoma meeting any of the following criteria: 1. Requiring surgical reintervention; 2. Leading to prolonged hospital stay beyond the planned discharge date; 3. Necessitating interruption of NOAC therapy.
Individual components of the primary endpoint and composite outcomes of other major perioperative bleeding events
Incidence of each individual component of the primary endpoint (hematoma requiring reoperation, prolonged hospital stay, NOAC interruption), composite outcomes of other major perioperative bleeding events (transient ischemic attack or stroke; deep vein thrombosis; pulmonary embolism; peripheral embolism of the extremities or other major organs) and other secondary outcomes (all-cause death; device-related infections requiring hospitalization; other complications related to device implantation \[e.g., lead dislocation, perforation\]).
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Fu Wai Hospital, Beijing, China
Lead sponsor
Peking University First Hospital
Collaborator
Fuwai Shenzhen Hospital
Collaborator
Beijing Boai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center
Collaborator
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