Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Implantation of Drug-Eluting Stents: Shorter or Longer?

ABSTRACT: Use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT; the combination of aspirin and an inhibitor of platelet P2Y12) is the key pharmacological component in the management of acute coronary syndrome and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation, but the optimal treatment duration is still unclear. Although current guidelines recommend prescription of DAPT for at least 12 months after implantation of drug-eluting stents (DES) if patients are not at high risk of bleeding, several studies showed conflicting results. Observational studies have shown inconsistent findings (i.e., some studies suggested longer duration would be better, and others vice versa) and small-to-moderate sized randomized clinical trials suggested that prolonged use of DAPT beyond 12 months would not be more bene

SUBMITTER: Chang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4265232 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature