Single Antiplatelet Therapy Research Articles

Antithrombotic strategies after transcatheter aortic valve replacement a network meta-analysis

The optimal antithrombotic regimen for patients without an indication for oral anticoagulation (OAC) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains unclear. We conducted a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to clarify the best postoperative antithrombotic regimen. We searched literature databases including PubMed/Medline and Cochrane up to June 2024. Safety endpoints included all-cause death, cardiovascular death, major/life-threatening bleeding, and minor bleeding during follow-up. Efficacy endpoints encompassed ischaemic stroke transient ischemic attack (TIA), systemic embolism, hypoattenuated leaflet thickening (HALT), and reduced leaflet motion (RELM). Outcomes were assessed during the follow-up period specified in each trial (range:3–24 months). The results were statistically analyzed using R 4.3.2 and Stata 16 software. The final analysis included seven randomized controlled trials. Single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) showed a lower incidence of major/life-threatening bleeding compared to the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) group (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.47–0.99, P = 0.002) during the 3–24 month post-TAVR period. However, no significant differences were found in other safety or efficacy endpoints. SAPT is the preferred treatment strategy for TAVR patients without anticoagulation indications.Systematic Review Registrationidentifier, PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024584735.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Safety of Antiplatelet Discontinuation Following Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization for Cerebral Aneurysms.

Stent-assisted coil embolization (SACE) is a common endovascular technique for managing intracranial aneurysms. The permanent presence of a stent inside the cerebral artery necessitates the postoperative use of antiplatelets. However, a consensus about how long to continue on it remains debated. This systematic review aims to discuss and quantify the risk of ischemic complications after antiplatelet discontinuation following SACE. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) were systematically searched for studies assessing the outcomes after antiplatelet discontinuation following SACE for cerebral aneurysms. The primary outcome was the odds of ischemic complications after antiplatelet discontinuation. Using a random-effects model, the pooled event rate, along with a 95% confidence interval (CI), was calculated. The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (CMA) software was used for the analysis. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used for the quality assessment. A total of five observational cohort studies were included in this systematic review. The studies recruited cases from 2009 and 2020, predominantly in Korea and Japan. Data from 18,425 cases obtained from four studies were analyzed. The duration of antiplatelet therapy varied widely across the included studies. Additionally, most studies reported a median follow-up of 24 months or more after antiplatelet discontinuation. We extracted and analyzed the odds of thromboembolic complications occurring within 6 to 24 months after the discontinuation of antiplatelets. The pooled rate of thromboembolism after antiplatelet discontinuation in this meta-analysis was 0.01 (95% CI: 0.006 to 0.018). This review demonstrates that the risk of thromboembolic complications after discontinuing antiplatelet therapy post-SACE is low. However, no strong consensus exists on the ideal duration for maintaining dual- or single-antiplatelet therapy. Further prospective studies with longer follow-ups are warranted to clarify the optimal durations needed to balance thromboembolic risk with hemorrhagic complications.

Personalized Antithrombotic Strategies in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is prevalent in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, the optimal antithrombotic strategy tailored to individual patient profiles remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of personalized antithrombotic regimens in patients with AF after TAVR. Methods: We enrolled 121 AF patients who underwent TAVR from 2009 to 2023. Patients were grouped into seven groups based on individualized post-procedural antithrombotic regimens. The regimens included the following: single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) + direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) (n = 44, 36.3%); DOACs only (n = 25, 20.6%), SAPT + warfarin (n = 17, 14%); dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (n = 13, 10.7%); warfarin only (n = 8, 6.6%); DAPT + warfarin (n = 7, 5.8%); and DAPT + DOACs (n = 7, 5.8%). The study outcomes included incidences of strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), major bleeding, and survival. Results: The median follow-up was 27 months. The incidence of stroke, TIA, or major bleeding was similar among the seven treatment groups. However, a trend toward a higher rate of stroke was observed in the triple regimen containing warfarin (28.6%); also, the highest rate of major bleeding was observed in the warfarin-only group (25%). Survival for patients discharged and placed under various antithrombotic regimens did not differ significantly despite some numerical variations being present across the groups, with the lowest mortality reported with SAPT + warfarin (7%) and the highest with DAPT + warfarin (57%). Conclusions: This study highlights the outcomes related to stroke, major bleeding, and mortality across personalized antithrombotic regimens in patients with AF after TAVR. While no statistically significant differences were observed, findings emphasize the need for further large-scale studies to define optimal personalized antithrombotic strategies based on individual patient characteristics.

Single vs dual antiplatelet therapy after left atrial appendage closure: A propensity score matching analysis.

Single vs dual antiplatelet therapy after left atrial appendage closure: A propensity score matching analysis.

Long-term Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients With Chronic Coronary Syndrome: An Updated Review of Current Evidence.

Long-term Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients With Chronic Coronary Syndrome: An Updated Review of Current Evidence.

Rationale and Design of the CREATE Trial: A Multicenter, Randomized Comparison of Continuation or Cessation of Single Antithrombotic Therapy at 1 Year After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Current guidelines and expert consensus recommend lifelong single antiplatelet therapy for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement who have no indication for anticoagulation or dual antiplatelet therapy. However, there is no direct evidence from randomized controlled trials supporting this practice. Furthermore, the optimal duration of antiplatelet therapy in this population has not been adequately investigated. CREATE (A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Study to Evaluate Cessation of Antithrombotic Therapy at 1 Year in TAVR Patients-The CREATE Study) is a prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial for patients who have undergone successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement and have no indication for long-term oral anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. Eligible patients are free from major bleeding and ischemic events for 1 year postprocedure before being randomized 1:1 to single antiplatelet therapy (control group) or no antiplatelet therapy (experimental group). The primary efficacy end point is the incidence of bleeding events, defined by the VARC-3 (Valve Academic Research Consortium-3) criteria, at 1-year postrandomization. The primary safety end point is a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke at 1 year. The trial is powered for both superiority in efficiency and noninferiority in safety. Accordingly, a total of 3380 patients will be enrolled. The CREATE trial aims to assess if stopping antiplatelet therapy at 1-year after transcatheter aortic valve replacement reduces bleeding risk without increasing ischemic events in patients not requiring chronic antithrombotic therapy. URL: https://www.chictr.org.cn; Unique identifier: ChiCTR2400087454.

Dual anti-platelet therapy after iliac artery stenting improves limb salvage and freedom from major adverse limb events compared to single antiplatelet therapy.

Dual anti-platelet therapy after iliac artery stenting improves limb salvage and freedom from major adverse limb events compared to single antiplatelet therapy.

OCT-Guided covered stent implantation for acquired coronary aneurysm after bioresorbable vascular scaffold: case report.

Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) formation following bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) implantation is a rare but serious complication with no clear treatment guidelines. We report the case of a 56-year-old man with coronary artery disease (CAD) and a chronic total occlusion (CTO) in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) underwent full revascularization with BVS in 2016. Seven years later, he experienced recurrent angina, and angiography revealed 80% stenosis in the proximal LAD and a large coronary aneurysm in the middle LAD. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) confirmed a 5.88 mm aneurysm, which was treated with a PK Papyrus covered stent, while the proximal LAD stenosis was addressed with a Resolute Onyx drug-eluting stent (DES). After six months of standard dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) followed by three months of single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT), the patient developed in-stent restenosis (ISR) in the covered stent. This was successfully treated with high-pressure balloon angioplasty and a drug-eluting balloon (DEB). At the nine-month follow-up, the patient remained symptom-free. This case highlights the utility of OCT in evaluating CAAs and guiding covered stent deployment, while prolonged DAPT may help reduce the risk of very late stent thrombosis and future ischemic events, though further studies are needed.

Single Versus Double Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients Undergoing Endovascular Treatment With a Stent for an Iliac Occlusive Lesion.

ObjectiveEndovascular treatment (EVT) for an aorto-iliac occlusive lesion is performed worldwide as first-line treatment. However, the choice of single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) or double antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after aorto-iliac revascularization is controversial. The purpose of the study was to assess clinical outcomes in patients with SAPT or DAPT after iliac EVT, using propensity score matching.MethodPatients who underwent EVT for a de-novo iliac occlusive lesion at a single center from 2017 to 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. Comparisons were made between SAPT and DAPT cases after propensity score matching. The primary endpoints of the study were freedom from restenosis and freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR).ResultsA total of 150 patients underwent iliac EVT and received SAPT (n = 93) or DAPT (n = 57). The DAPT group had a significantly higher rate of coronary artery disease (P = .010). After matching, the differences in baseline and procedural details were diminished. The technical success rate of EVT, access site complications, and manual compression time did not differ between the groups. The median follow-up period was 33 (20-47) months. During follow-up, restenosis occurred in 11 cases (7%) and 10 cases (7%) underwent TLR. After matching, the 5-year freedom from restenosis did not differ significantly in the SAPT and DAPT groups (92% vs 90%, P = .80). Freedom from TLR also did not differ between the groups (P = .80). There was a tendency for a lower incident rate of major bleeding in the SAPT group (7% vs 18% at 5 years, P = .10).ConclusionsRetrospective analysis using propensity score matching showed that SAPT after iliac EVT resulted in similar freedom from restenosis and TLR compared with DAPT.

P2Y12 Inhibitor-Based Single Antiplatelet Therapy Versus Conventional Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Newer-Generation Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation in Chronic and Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

P2Y12 inhibitor-based single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) after drug-eluting stent implantation reduces major bleeding without increasing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events compared with 12-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). The differential effects of P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy compared with conventional DAPT in patients with chronic coronary syndromes versus acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remain uncertain. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing oral P2Y12 inhibitor-based SAPT after ≤3 months DAPT versus 12-month DAPT after newer-generation drug-eluting stent implantation. Patients were categorized based on baseline presentation (chronic coronary syndromes versus ACS). The co-primary end points were major bleeding and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events, a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke. A total of 43 945 (ACS, 28 360, 65%) patients from 7 randomized controlled trials were included. At a median follow-up of 12 months, P2Y12 inhibitor-based SAPT was associated with a lower risk of major bleeding (risk ratio [RR], 0.63 [95% CI, 0.48-0.82]; P<0.001) compared with 12-month DAPT. The risk of major bleeding was significantly lower among patients with ACS (RR, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.40-0.75]; P<0.001). Compared with standard DAPT, P2Y12 inhibitor-based SAPT was associated with a similar risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (RR, 0.98 [95%CI, 0.87-1.11]; P=0.74) among patients with chronic coronary syndromes and ACS. There was no significant interaction between treatment effect and baseline presentation. Compared with 12-month DAPT, P2Y12 inhibitor-based SAPT after newer-generation drug-eluting stent implantation is associated with a lower risk of major bleeding without increasing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events, a difference primarily driven by patients with ACS. URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/; Unique identifier: CRD42023239341.

The impact of preoperative maintaining antithrombotic therapy in patients undergoing non-coronary endovascular interventions

BackgroundAntithrombotic medications, including antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies, are widely used to prevent thromboembolic events in patients with cardiovascular diseases. It is common for patients on antithrombotic medications to undergo endovascular interventions though potential complications remain unclear. This study investigated the impact of continuing antithrombotic medications before endovascular interventions on perioperative clinical outcomes, particularly intraoperative blood transfusion.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent endovascular interventions between January 2019 and December 2022. Patients were divided into four groups based on the preoperative antithrombotic medications: (1) those not receiving any antithrombotic therapy; (2) those receiving single antiplatelet therapy; (3) those receiving dual antiplatelet therapy; (4) those receiving anticoagulant therapy. Clinical outcomes, including blood transfusion, hematoma and pseudoaneurysm, were analyzed using multivariate logistics regression. Subsequently, patients were stratified based on whether they received blood transfusion. All-cause mortality, adverse cardiovascular events and infectious events were used to evaluate the impact of blood transfusion.ResultsA total of 5743 patients were included, with a mean age of 67.08 ± 14.27 years, and 69.81% of them were male. Common underlying conditions included hypertension (60.48%), vascular disease (28.75%), diabetes mellitus (22.60%), congestive heart failure (6.39%), and immune disease (4.21%). Compared to patients not receiving any antithrombotic medications, those undergoing dual antiplatelet therapy or anticoagulant therapy exhibited an increased risk of requiring blood transfusion (OR: 2.05, 95%CI: 1.30–3.23; OR: 1.92, 95%CI: 1.22–3.03). Subgroup analysis indicated that the risk of blood transfusion varied depending on the type of anesthesia, number of puncture sites and renal function, with a significant interaction (P < 0.05). Patients who required blood transfusion had a significantly higher rate of one-year all-cause mortality (HR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.10–4.32) and three-month infectious events (HR: 4.92, 95% CI: 1.72–14.06).ConclusionsPreoperative maintaining dual antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy increased the risk of blood transfusion in endovascular interventions. Blood transfusion was independently associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality and infectious events. These findings suggested the need for tailored perioperative management of antithrombotic therapy in patients undergoing endovascular interventions.

Impact of dual antiplatelet therapy on patients with minor stroke after thrombolysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundIntravenous thrombolysis for acute minor ischaemic strokes did not provide any benefit in the recent TEMPO-2 trial. In general, single antiplatelet agents are used to improve the outcomes after thrombolysis....

Optimal antithrombotic therapy after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a comprehensive review.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become a leading treatment for aortic stenosis, but managing thromboembolic and bleeding risks post-procedure remains challenging. This review examines current evidence on antithrombotic therapy after TAVR. Subclinical leaflet thrombosis is observed in 10%-20% of patients, though its clinical significance remains uncertain. Clinical valve thrombosis is rare. Current guidelines favor single antiplatelet therapy for patients without indications for long-term anticoagulation, as dual antiplatelet therapy increases bleeding risk without improving outcomes. For patients requiring long-term anticoagulation, monotherapy with direct oral anticoagulants or vitamin K antagonists is recommended to minimize bleeding. Ongoing trials aim to clarify optimal antithrombotic regimens and strategies for preventing subclinical leaflet thrombosis. Individualized therapy based on patient risk profiles is likely needed to improve the efficacy and safety of antithrombotic treatment post-TAVR.

The Australian-New Zealand spontaneous coronary artery dissection cohort study: predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events and recurrence.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an increasingly recognized cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Recent data suggest a harmful association of dual antiplatelet therapy compared with single antiplatelet therapy following SCAD. This study investigated independent predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and recurrence in patients with SCAD. This multicentre cohort study involving 23 Australian and New Zealand sites included patients aged ≥18 years with an ACS due to SCAD confirmed on core laboratory adjudication. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models analysed predictors for the primary MACE outcome. Among 586 patients, 505 (150 prospective, 355 retrospective) with SCAD confirmed by core laboratory adjudication, mean age was 52.2 ± 10.6 years, 88.6% were female, and 74.5% were Caucasian. At long-term follow-up (median 21 months), MACE and SCAD recurrence occurred in 8.6% and 3.6% of patients, respectively. Oral anticoagulation on discharge [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-9.3, P = .003], ticagrelor combined with aspirin (aHR 1.8, 95% CI 1.04-3.2, P = .037), fibromuscular dysplasia (aHR 2.2, 95% CI 1.05-4.5, P = .037), and history of stroke (aHR 3.8, 95% CI 1.2-12.2, P = .03) were independently associated with higher MACE. Fibromuscular dysplasia (aHR 3.9, 95% CI 1.5-26.5, P = .01), ticagrelor combined with aspirin (aHR 2.6, 95% CI 2.1-5.3, P = .01), and history of stroke (aHR 6.2, 95% CI 1.8-9.5, P = .01) were also associated with higher SCAD recurrence. The findings support the hypothesis that SCAD is primarily caused by intramural bleeding, with a harmful association of more potent antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulation with adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

The impact of postoperative dual antiplatelet therapy on outcomesof endovascular therapies in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia in the Vascular Quality Initiative-Medicare-linked database.

The impact of postoperative dual antiplatelet therapy on outcomesof endovascular therapies in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia in the Vascular Quality Initiative-Medicare-linked database.

Post-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Antithrombotic Treatment in Nonindicated Patients: Updated Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Post-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Antithrombotic Treatment in Nonindicated Patients: Updated Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Anticoagulation and Antiplatelet Therapyfor Atrial Fibrillation and Stable Coronary Disease: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.

Anticoagulation and Antiplatelet Therapyfor Atrial Fibrillation and Stable Coronary Disease: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.

Secondary prevention with antiplatelet medications in patients with antiphospholipid antibody-related stroke

Clinical guidelines recommend warfarin for patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and ischemic stroke; however, robust evidence is lacking. We investigated the clinical benefits of different categories of antithrombotic medications in ischemic stroke patients positive for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) in real-world practice. We reviewed data from patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack who tested positive for aPLs. Based on their secondary preventive antithrombotic medications, patients were classified into antiplatelet and anticoagulant categories, and further into warfarin, single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT), dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), and direct oral anticoagulant groups. The outcome of interest was a composite of recurrent thrombosis and major bleeding events. Time-varying Cox proportional hazards model was used. Among 167 eligible patients, 28 experienced composite outcome events over 601.1 person-years. SAPT and DAPT demonstrated clinical benefits over warfarin (SAPT vs. warfarin, adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence intervals], 0.24 [0.07–0.83]; DAPT vs. warfarin, 0.25 [0.08–0.81]). Notably, DAPT was advantageous regarding major bleeding (DAPT vs. warfarin, 0.10 [0.02–0.47]), while the risk of recurrent thrombotic events was comparable between the antiplatelet and warfarin groups. Antiplatelet therapy may be a safe and effective alternative to warfarin for secondary prevention of aPL- and APS-related stroke. Further prospective validation is required.

Association of Physician Certification and Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion.

Association of Physician Certification and Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion.

Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Carotid Artery Stenting: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an alternative treatment for patients with carotid artery stenosis who are not eligible for carotid endarterectomy. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after CAS aims to prevent ischemic stroke. However, its optimal duration remains unclear. We aimed to determine the optimal duration of DAPT by identifying the differences in clinical events that occur depending on the DAPT maintenance period. Data were obtained from the nationwide database of the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service between 2007 and 2019. Patients who received CAS, as identified by procedure codes, were divided into 2 groups according to the duration of DAPT (aspirin and clopidogrel): those who maintained DAPT for at least 90 days but for <6 months (short-DAPT group) and those who maintained it for longer (long-DAPT group). The primary outcome was a composite of ischemic stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding, and intracranial hemorrhage within 12 months of switching to single antiplatelet therapy. Statistical analyses used inverse probability of treatment weighting to balance baseline characteristics, with Cox regression and Fine and Gray competing risk models used to assess outcomes. Of the 12 034 patients who underwent CAS, 2529 and 9505 were assigned to the short-DAPT and long-DAPT groups, respectively. In the short-DAPT group, ischemic stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding, and intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 41 (1.6%), 22 (0.9%), and 4 (0.2%) patients, respectively. In the long-DAPT group, ischemic stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding, and intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 108 (1.1%), 87 (0.9%), and 4 (0.04%) patients, respectively. The primary outcome did not differ significantly between the groups (2.5% versus 2.1%; adjusted hazard ratio of long-DAPT to short-DAPT, 0.869 [95% CI, 0.652-1.158]; P=0.337). Short-duration DAPT can be recommended, as it does not differ from long-duration DAPT in terms of clinical efficacy and adverse events after CAS.