Discontinuation of Anticoagulations After Successful Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

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 …