Ultrashort Versus 1-Year Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Background

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor antagonist is the standard antithrombotic therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, the optimal duration of this treatment remains a topic of ongoing debate. This study aimed to assess the clinical utility of an ultrashort dual antiplatelet therapy (US-DAPT) regimen (≤1 month) compared with standard DAPT (≥6 months) after PCI. In addition, the outcomes of choosing single antiplatelet therapy after US-DAPT, either clopidogrel or ticagrelor, were also analyzed.

Methods

We queried MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases from their commencement to May 2024 for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that directly compared US-DAPT (≤1 month) with standard therapy (≥6 months). The primary end point was net adverse clinical events (NACE), defined as a composite of major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and clinically relevant bleeding (CRB).

Results

Seven RCTs were included in the analysis, comprising 34,774 patients (US-DAPT, n = 17,383; standard therapy, n = 17,391) who were enrolled with a mean age of 67 ± 10 years and 74.7% male. US-DAPT was associated with a 20% lower risk of NACE (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68-0.94; P = .006; I² = 74%) and 47% reduction in CRB (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.37-0.75; P < .001; I² = 77%) compared with standard therapy at 12 months. Similarly, US-DAPT was associated with statistically significant reduction in all-cause mortality (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.77-0.99; P = .04; I² = 0%) and TVR (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.78-0.98; P = .02; I² = 41%) However, no significant difference in MACCE, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease–related deaths, MI, stroke, MI, TVR, and ST was observed.

Conclusions

In patients undergoing PCI, US-DAPT was associated with lower NACEs and bleeding risk without increasing the occurrence of ischemic events, including ST and MI, when compared with at least 6 months of DAPT, irrespective of the choice of single antiplatelet therapy, whether clopidogrel or ticagrelor, following DAPT.