What is the Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Stenting?

The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)of aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor blocker after stenting is still being debated.The current recommendations for DAPT duration are signifi cantly focused on reducing stent thrombosis;a less frequent event with later than earlier generation drug eluting stents(DES).A persistent occurrence of late and very late stent thrombosis with first generation DES supported extended use of DAPT beyond one year.However,recent studies have demonstrated that extended duration DAPT is associated with increased bleeding;an independent predictor for poor outcomes,including long-term mortality.Second-generation DES are associated with less late and very late stent thrombosis.Some recent studies have supported a shorter duration of DAPT for second generation DES.However,these studies were inadequately powered to assess signifi cant differences in stent thrombosis.Furthermore,extended duration DAPT has been associated with a reduced risk of thrombotic events in non-culprit vessels in addition to stent thrombosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes(ACS).The higher risk of bleeding associated with extended DAPT therapy provides a strong rationale for personalized DAPT based on patient risk factors(e.g.ACS vs.non-ACS),type of stents,and cost-benefit analyses.

2018 update of expert consensus statement on antiplatelet therapy in East Asian patients with ACS or undergoing PCI

East Asians are the most populous race in the world and their health status is an important global issue.Compared with Caucasian populations, East Asian patients have a different benefit/risk ratio when using antithrombotic treatment. Despite this observation, treatment strategies in East Asian patients are mostly based on the American and European guidelines. Despite a lower platelet inhibitory response to clopidogrel, East Asian patients show a similar or even a lower rate of ischemic event occurrence and higher bleeding risk compared with Caucasian patients. For potent P2Y_(12) inhibitors(ticagrelor and prasugrel),East Asian patients have shown less favorable net clinical benefits compared with Caucasian patients,which may be related to differences in pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles and therapeutic zone of antiplatelet effect. This updated consensus mainly focuses on state-of-the-art and current controversies in the East Asian population. In addition, when East Asian patients are administered potent P2Y_(12) receptor inhibitors, the strategies and ongoing trials to overcome the related hurdles are discussed.