Distal Versus Traditional Radial Approach for Coronary Angiography

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of distal radial (DR) versus traditional radial (TR) approach during coronary angiography.

METHODS

Two hundred patients scheduled to undergo transradial coronary angiography were randomized between the two approaches. Primary endpoint of the study was switching to another access site due to inability of successful target artery cannulation. Secondary endpoints were time to cannulation, total procedure duration, number of attempts, number of skin punctures and duration of manual hemostasis. Secondary safety endpoints were the rate of moderate or severe spasm, arm hematoma EASY class III or more and radial artery occlusion at discharge. Quality of life endpoint was the patient's preference of cannulation method at 30 days.

RESULTS

The primary endpoint was met in 30 patients (30%) from the DR group and 2 patients (2%) from the TR group (p < 0.001). The time of cannulation was longer in the DR group compared to the TR group (269 ± 251 s vs 140 ± 161 s, p < 0.001), but this did not affect the total procedural duration (925 ± 896 s vs 831 ± 424 s, p = 0.494). The number of attempts and the number of skin punctures were more in the DR group compared to the TR group (6.8 ± 6.2 vs 3.4 ± 4.5, p < 0.001 and 2.4 ± 1.7 vs 1.6 ± 1.2, p < 0.001, respectively). However, DR treated patients had faster manual hemostasis time compared to TR treated patients (568 ± 462 s vs 841 ± 574 s, p = 0.002). There were no differences recorded in the safety endpoints of moderate or severe spasm, EASY grade III or more radial hematomas or the incidence of radial artery occlusion after the procedure. Patients' preference to the randomized puncture sites was the same (79% vs 85%, p = 0.358).

CONCLUSION

Distal radial approach is associated with lower successful cannulation rates and shorter manual hemostasis time compared to the traditional radial approach.

Predicting Periprocedural Complications in Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The PROGRESS-CTO Complication Scores

BACKGROUND

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with increased risk of periprocedural complications. Estimating the risk of complications facilitates risk-benefit assessment and procedural planning.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to develop risk scores for in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), mortality, pericardiocentesis, and acute myocardial infarction (MI) in patients undergoing CTO PCI.

METHODS

The study analyzed the PROGRESS-CTO (Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention; NCT02061436) and created risk scores for MACE, mortality, pericardiocentesis, and acute MI. Logistic regression prediction modeling was used to identify independently associated variables, and models were internally validated with bootstrapping.

RESULTS

The incidence of periprocedural complications among 10,480 CTO PCIs was as follows: MACE 215 (2.05%), mortality 47 (0.45%), pericardiocentesis 83 (1.08%), and acute MI 66 (0.63%). The final model for MACE included ≥65 years of age (1 point), moderate-severe calcification (1 point), blunt stump (1 point), antegrade dissection and re-entry (ADR) (1 point), female (2 points), and retrograde (2 points); the final model for mortality included ≥65 years of age (1 point), left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45% (1 point), moderate-severe calcification (1 point), ADR (1 point), and retrograde (1 point); the final model for pericardiocentesis included ≥65 years of age (1 point), female (1 point), moderate-severe calcification (1 point), ADR (1 point), and retrograde (2 points); the final model for acute MI included prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (1 point), atrial fibrillation (1 point), and blunt stump (1 point). The C-statistics of the models were 0.74, 0.80, 0.78, 0.72 for MACE, mortality, pericardiocentesis, and acute MI, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The PROGRESS-CTO complication risk scores can facilitate estimation of the periprocedural complication risk in patients undergoing CTO PCI.

Hospital attendance and admission trends for cardiac diseases during the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown in Greece

OBJECTIVES

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, along with implementation of lockdown and strict public movement restrictions, in Greece has affected hospital visits and admissions. We aimed to investigate trends of cardiac disease admissions during the outbreak of the pandemic and possible associations with the applied restrictive measures.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective observational study.

METHODS

Data for 4970 patients admitted via the cardiology emergency department (ED) across 3 large-volume urban hospitals in Athens and 2 regional/rural hospitals from February 3, 2020, up to April 12 were recorded. Data from the equivalent (for the COVID-19 outbreak) time period of 2019 and from the postlockdown time period were also collected.

RESULTS

A falling trend of cardiology ED visits and hospital admissions was observed starting from the week when the restrictive measures due to COVID-19 were implemented. Compared with the pre-COVID-19 outbreak time period, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) [145 (29/week) vs. 60 (12/week), -59%, P < 0.001], ST elevation myocardial infarction [46 (9.2/week) vs. 21 (4.2/week), -54%, P = 0.002], and non-ST elevation ACS [99 cases (19.8/week) vs. 39 (7.8/week), -60% P < 0.001] were reduced at the COVID-19 outbreak time period. Reductions were also noted for heart failure worsening and arrhythmias. The ED visits in the postlockdown period were significantly higher than in the COVID-19 outbreak time period (1511 vs 660; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our data show significant drops in cardiology visits and admissions during the COVID-19 outbreak time period. Whether this results from restrictive measures or depicts a true reduction of cardiac disease cases warrants further investigation.

Manual Versus Mechanical Compression of the Radial Artery After Transradial Coronary Angiography: The MEMORY Multicenter Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare manual versus mechanical compression of the radial artery after coronary angiography via transradial access regarding radial artery occlusion (RAO), access-site bleeding complications, and duration of hemostasis.

BACKGROUND

Hemostasis of the radial artery after sheath removal can be achieved either by manual compression at the puncture site or by using a mechanical hemostasis device. Because mechanical compression exerts a more stable, continuous pressure on the artery, it could be hypothesized that it is more effective compared with manual compression regarding hemostasis time, bleeding, and RAO risks.

METHODS

A total of 589 patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography by transradial access with a 5-F sheath were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either manual or mechanical patent hemostasis of the radial artery. Radial artery patency was evaluated by color duplex ultrasonography 24 h after the procedure. The primary endpoint was early RAO at 24 h. Secondary endpoints included access-site bleeding complications and duration of hemostasis.

RESULTS

Thirty-six (12%) early RAOs occurred in the manual group, and 24 (8%) occurred in the mechanical group (p = 0.176). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding access-site bleeding complications (hematoma, 52 [17%] vs. 50 [18%]; p = 0.749; bleedings, 8 [3%] vs. 9 [3%]; p = 1.000). Duration of hemostasis was significantly shorter in the manual group (22 ± 34 min vs. 119 ± 72 min with mechanical compression; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Manual and mechanical compression resulted in similar rates of early RAO, although the total duration of hemostasis was significantly shorter in the manual group.

Distal Radial Access: A Review Article

Transradial approach (TRA) for coronary angiography and interventions has been increasingly used over the last decades and has become the default strategy in the majority of catheterization laboratories worldwide. Recently, a novel transradial access site, the distal radial access (DRA), has been proposed as an alternative to traditional TRA. Several case reports and case series have been published on this new approach over the last year showing overall good success rates. Aim of this review is to present the possible benefits and drawbacks of DRA and offer guidance on its successful use.

Usefulness of Atherectomy in Chronic Total Occlusion Interventions (from the PROGRESS-CTO Registry)

There is limited data on the use of atherectomy during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We compared the clinical and procedural characteristics and outcomes of CTO PCIs performed with or without atherectomy in a contemporary multicenter CTO PCI registry. Between 2012 and 2018, 3,607 CTO PCIs were performed at 21 participating centers. Atherectomy was used in 117 (3.2%) cases: rotational atherectomy in 105 cases, orbital atherectomy in 8, and both in 4 cases. Patients in whom atherectomy was used, were older (68 ± 8 vs 64 ± 10 years, p <0.0001) and had higher Japan-chronic total occlusion score (3.0 ± 1.2 vs 2.4 ± 1.3, p <0.0001). CTO PCI cases in which atherectomy was used had similar technical (91% vs 87%, p = 0.240) and procedural (90% vs 85%, p = 0.159) success and in-hospital major adverse cardiac event (4% vs 3%, p = 0.382) rates. However, atherectomy cases were associated with higher rates of donor vessel injury (4% vs 1%, p = 0.031), tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis (2.6% vs 0.4%, p = 0.012) and more often required use of a left ventricular assist device (9% vs 5%, p = 0.031). Atherectomy cases were associated with longer procedural duration (196 [141, 247] vs 119 [76, 180] minutes, p <0.0001), and higher patient air kerma radiation dose (3.6 [2.5, 5.6] vs 2.8 [1.6, 4.7] Gray, p = 0.001). In conclusion, atherectomy is currently performed in approximately 3% of CTO PCI cases and is associated with similar technical and procedural success and overall major adverse cardiac event rates, but higher risk for donor vessel injury and tamponade.

Randomised comparison of JUDkins vs. tiGEr catheter in coronary angiography via the right radial artery: the JUDGE study

AIMS

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the Tiger-II with Judkins 3.5L/4R catheters in coronary angiography (CAG) via the transradial approach (TRA).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Consecutive patients undergoing non-urgent CAG via the right TRA were randomised to either the Tiger-II (Terumo) or Judkins (3.5L/4R; Medtronic) 5 Fr catheters; 320 patients in each group were randomised. Catheter or access site change was required in 57 (17.8%) vs. 68 (21.3%) patients allocated to the Tiger-II and Judkins group, respectively (p=0.3). The study's primary endpoint of contrast volume (ml) used until completion of CAG was lower for Tiger-II vs. Judkins group: 66.8 (54.0-82.0) vs. 73.4 (60.0-94.1), p<0.001. Angiography, fluoroscopy time (min) and severe spasm rate were also significantly lower for Tiger-II vs. Judkins group: 5.52 (4.17-7.32) vs. 6.85 (5.15-9.63), p<0.00, 2.01 (1.32-3.13) vs. 2.24 (1.50-3.50), p=0.01 and 6 (2.8%) vs. 39 (12.2%), p<0.001, respectively. The Tiger-II catheter obtained better opacification grade for the right coronary artery (RCA): 4.0 (4.0-4.0) vs. 4.0 (3.0-4.0), p=0.02, but slightly compromised opacification of the left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex (LCX) arteries compared with the Judkins group: 3.75 (3.0-4.0) vs. 4.0 (3.5-4.0), p<0.001, and 3.78 (3.6-4.0) vs. 4.0 (3.6-4.0), p<0.001, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The Tiger-II was found superior to the Judkins 3.5L/4R regarding contrast volume use, procedural and fluoroscopy time, spasm rate and RCA imaging, and inferior regarding LAD and LCX imaging.

Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with STEMI treated with thrombolysis: the MIRTOS trial

AIMS

We aimed to demonstrate whether coronary microvascular function is improved after ticagrelor administration compared to clopidogrel administration in STEMI subjects undergoing thrombolysis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

MIRTOS is a multicentre study of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in STEMI subjects treated with fibrinolysis. We enrolled 335 patients <75 years old with STEMI eligible for thrombolysis, of whom 167 were randomised to receive clopidogrel and 168 to receive ticagrelor together with thrombolysis. Primary outcome was the difference in post-PCI corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC). All clinical events were recorded in a three-month follow-up period. From the 335 patients who were randomised, 259 underwent PCI (129 clopidogrel and 130 ticagrelor) and 154 angiographies were analysable for the study primary endpoint. No significant difference was found between the clopidogrel (n=85) and ticagrelor (n=69) groups for CTFC (24.33±17.35 vs 28.33±17.59, p=0.10). No significant differences were observed in MACE and major bleeding events between randomisation groups (OR 2.0, 95% CI: 0.18-22.2, p=0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Thrombolysis with ticagrelor in patients <75 years old was not able to demonstrate superiority compared to clopidogrel in terms of microvascular injury, while there was no difference between the two groups in MACE and major bleeding events.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02429271. EudraCT Number 2014-004082-25.

Prevalence and Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions for Ostial Chronic Total Occlusions: Insights From a Multicenter Chronic Total Occlusion Registry

BACKGROUND

Ostial chronic total occlusions (CTOs) can be challenging to recanalize.

METHODS

We sought to examine the prevalence, angiographic presentation, and procedural outcomes of ostial (side-branch ostial and aorto-ostial) CTOs among 1000 CTO percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) performed in 971 patients between 2015 and 2017 at 14 centres in the US, Europe, and Russia.

RESULTS

Ostial CTOs represented 16.9% of all CTO PCIs: 9.6% were aorto-ostial, and 7.3% were side-branch ostial occlusions. Compared with nonostial CTOs, ostial CTOs were longer (44 ± 33 vs 29 ± 19 mm, P < 0.001) and more likely to have proximal-cap ambiguity (55% vs 33%, P < 0.001), moderate/severe calcification (67% vs 45%, P < 0.001), a diffusely diseased distal vessel (41% vs 26%, P < 0.001), interventional collaterals (64% vs 53%, P = 0.012), and previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) (51% vs 27%, P < 0.001). The retrograde approach was used more often in ostial CTOs (54% vs 29%, P < 0.001) and was more often the final successful crossing strategy (30% vs 18%, P = 0.003). Technical (81% vs 84%, P = 0.280), and procedural (77% vs 83%, P = 0.112) success rates and the incidence of in-hospital major complication were similar (4.8% vs 2.2%, P = 0.108), yet in-hospital mortality (3.0% vs 0.5%, P = 0.010) and stroke (1.2% vs 0.0%, P = 0.030) were higher in the ostial CTO PCI group. In multivariable analysis, ostial CTO location was not independently associated with higher risk for in-hospital major complications (adjusted odds ratio 1.27, 95% confidence intervals 0.37 to 4.51, P = 0.694).

CONCLUSIONS

Ostial CTOs can be recanalized with similar rates of success as nonostial CTOs but are more complex, more likely to require retrograde crossing and may be associated with numerically higher risk for major in-hospital complications.

Single vs. multiple operators for chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary interventions: From the PROGRESS-CTO Registry

BACKGROUND

There is limited data on the impact of a second attending operator on chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcomes.

METHODS

We analyzed the association between multiple operators (MOs) (>1 attending operator) and procedural outcomes of 9296 CTO PCIs performed between 2012 and 2021 at 37 centers.

RESULTS

CTO PCI was performed by a single operator (SO) in 85% of the cases and by MOs in 15%. Mean patient age was 64.4 ± 10 years and 81% were men. SO cases were more complex with higher Japan-CTO (2.38 ± 1.29 vs. 2.28 ± 1.20, p = 0.005) and Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention scores (1.13 ± 1.01 vs. 0.97 ± 0.93, p < 0.001) compared with MO cases. Procedural time (131 [87, 181] vs. 112 [72, 167] min, p < 0.001), fluoroscopy time (49 [31, 76] vs. 42 [25, 68] min, p < 0.001), air kerma radiation dose (2.32 vs. 2.10, p < 0.001), and contrast volume (230 vs. 210, p < 0.001) were higher in MO cases. Cases performed by MOs and SO had similar technical (86% vs. 86%, p = 0.9) and procedural success rates (84% vs. 85%, p = 0.7), as well as major adverse complication event rates (MACE 2.17% vs. 2.42%, p = 0.6). On multivariable analyses, MOs were not associated with higher technical success or lower MACE rates.

CONCLUSION

In a contemporary, multicenter registry, 15% of CTO PCI cases were performed by multiple operators. Despite being more complex, SO cases had lower procedural and fluoroscopy times, and similar technical and procedural success and risk of complications compared with MO cases.

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy and Cancer; Balancing between Ischemic and Bleeding Risk: A Narrative Review

Cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with cancer can be caused by concomitant CV risk factors, cancer itself, and anticancer therapy. Since malignancy can dysregulate the hemostatic system, predisposing cancer patients to both thrombosis and hemorrhage, the administration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) to patients with cancer who suffer from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a clinical challenge to cardiologists. Apart from PCI and ACS, other structural interventions, such as TAVR, PFO-ASD closure, and LAA occlusion, and non-cardiac diseases, such as PAD and CVAs, may require DAPT. The aim of the present review is to review the current literature on the optimal antiplatelet therapy and duration of DAPT for oncologic patients, in order to reduce both the ischemic and bleeding risk in this high-risk population.

Trends of Antithrombotic Treatment in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights from the GReek-AntiPlatElet Atrial Fibrillation (GRAPE-AF) Registry

PURPOSE

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are a high-risk subset of patients, whose optimal antithrombotic treatment strategy, involving a combination of anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents, has not been well defined. Our study aims to investigate contemporary "real-world" trends of antithrombotic treatment strategies in AF patients undergoing PCI, as well as identify factors affecting decision-making at hospital discharge.

METHODS

"Real-world" data were retrieved from the GReek-AntiPlatElet Atrial Fibrillation (GRAPE-AF) registry, a contemporary, nationwide, multicenter, observational study of AF patients undergoing PCI. Characteristics of patients discharged on triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) or dual antithrombotic therapy (DAT) were compared in order to identify factors that could influence treatment decisions.

RESULTS

A total of 654 patients were enrolled (42% with stable coronary artery disease, 58% with acute coronary syndrome). TAT was adopted in 49.9% and DAT in 49.2% of patients at discharge. Regarding anticoagulants, the vast majority of patients (92.9%) received non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and only 7.1% received vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Dyslipidemia, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, prior myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome at presentation, and regional variations were predictive of TAT adoption, whereas the use of NOACs or ticagrelor was predictive of DAT adoption.

CONCLUSION

Contemporary "real-world" data concerning antithrombotic treatment in AF patients undergoing PCI indicate a strong shift towards the use of NOACs instead of VKAs, along with a large subset of patients adopting an aspirin-free strategy early after index PCI, with clinical as well as treatment characteristics affecting decision-making.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03362788 (First Posted: December 5, 2017).

Impact of lesion length on the outcomes of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from the PROGRESS-CTO registry

BACKGROUND

The impact of occlusion length on the procedural techniques and outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study.

METHODS

We examined the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 10,335 CTO PCIs at 42 US and non-US centers between 2012 and 2022. The cohort was divided into two groups based on lesion length (≥20 mm vs. <20 mm).

RESULTS

Long lesions were present in 7208 (70%) patients. Comorbidities were more common in patients with long CTOs. Compared with short lesions, long lesions had higher J-CTO score (2.8 ± 1.1 vs. 1.3 ± 1; p < 0.001) and retrograde wiring was more often the initial (15.5% vs. 4.0%; p < 0.001) and successful (22.8% vs. 8.2%; p < 0.001) crossing strategy. Long lesions were more likely to require longer procedure (123 vs. 91 min; p < 0.001) and fluoroscopy (47.1 vs. 32.2 min; p < 0.001) time, larger contrast volume (218 vs. 200 mL; p < 0.001) and higher air kerma radiation dose (2.4 vs. 1.7 Gy; p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, long lesions were associated with lower technical success (odds ratio [OR]: 0.91 per 10 mm increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88, 0.94) and higher major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (OR: 1.08 per 10 mm increase; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.15).

CONCLUSIONS

CTO PCI of long occlusions is independently associated with lower rates of technical success and higher rates of in-hospital MACE.

Incidence, Mechanisms, Treatment, and Outcomes of Coronary Artery Perforation During Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Coronary artery perforation is a feared complication of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Our objective was to describe the incidence, mechanisms, treatment, and outcomes of coronary artery perforation during CTO PCI. We analyzed the baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 10,454 CTO PCIs performed in 10,219 patients between 2012 and 2022. The incidence of coronary perforation was 4.9% (n = 503). Patients who experienced coronary perforation were older and were more likely to have had previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Procedures that resulted in perforation were more complex, with higher Japanese CTO and Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention (PROGRESS-CTO) scores. Technical (66% vs 87%, p <0.001) and procedural (55% vs 87%, p <0.001) success rates were lower in perforation cases. The CTO target vessel was the most common perforation site (66%). The retrograde approach was responsible for the perforation in 47% of cases, and guidewire exit was the most common perforation mechanism. The proportion of Ellis class 1, 2, 3, and 3 -"cavity spilling" coronary perforations was 20%, 41%, 28%, and 11%, respectively. In 52% of perforations, 1 or more interventions were required: prolonged balloon inflation (23%), covered stent deployment (21%), coil embolization (6%), and/or autologous fat embolization (4%). Tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis occurred in 69 patients (14%). The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events was higher in perforation cases (18% vs 1.3%, p <0.001). In conclusion, coronary artery perforation occurred in 4.9% of CTO PCIs performed by experienced operators and was associated with lower technical success and higher in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events.

Impact of proximal cap ambiguity on the procedural techniques and outcomes of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from the PROGRESS-CTO Registry

BACKGROUND

Proximal cap ambiguity is a key parameter in the global chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) crossing algorithm.

METHODS

We examined the baseline characteristics and procedural outcomes of 9718 CTO PCIs performed in 9498 patients at 41 US and non-US centers between 2012 and 2022.

RESULTS

Proximal cap ambiguity was present in 35% of CTO lesions. Patients whose lesions had proximal cap ambiguity were more likely to have had prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (37% vs. 24%; p < 0.001). Lesions with proximal cap ambiguity were more complex with higher J-CTO score (3.1 ± 1.0 vs. 2.0 ± 1.2; p < 0.001) and lower technical (79% vs. 90%; p < 0.001) and procedural (77% vs. 89%; p < 0.001) success rates compared with nonambiguous CTO lesions. The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was higher in cases with proximal cap ambiguity (2.5% vs. 1.7%; p < 0.001). The retrograde approach was more commonly used among cases with ambiguous proximal cap (50% vs. 21%; p < 0.001) and was more likely to be the final successful crossing strategy (29% vs. 13%; p < 0.001). The antegrade dissection and re-entry (ADR) "move-the-cap" techniques were also more common among cases with proximal cap ambiguity.

CONCLUSIONS

Proximal cap ambiguity in CTO lesions is associated with higher utilization of the retrograde approach and ADR, lower technical and procedural success rates, and higher incidence of in-hospital MACE.

Thirty-Days versus Longer Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Treatment after Percutaneous Coronary Interventions with Newer Drug-Eluting Stents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abbreviation of the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (one or three months) has been recently proposed, especially for high bleeding risk patients, after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent (DES). Three databases were screened for eligible randomized control trials. The primary endpoint was the incidence of net adverse clinical events (NACE). Secondary endpoints consisted of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, stent-thrombosis, repeat revascularization and major bleeding. We included four RCTs with a total of 26,576 patients; 13,282 patients were grouped in 30-days DAPT, while the remaining 13,294 were allocated in a longer period of DAPT. One month of DAPT did not significantly reduce NACE (odds ratio [OR]: 0.87, 95% confidence intervals [Cl]: 0.74-1.03); however, major bleedings were significantly reduced by 22% (OR: 0.78, 95% Cl: 0.65-0.94). Mortality or ischemic events (stroke, myocardial infarction, revascularization and stent thrombosis) were not affected. Thus, 30-days DAPT could be considered as safe and feasible after PCI with DES in selected patients, especially those with high bleeding risk. Forthcoming RCTs could shed light on the optimal duration of DAPT.