Efficacy and Safety of Prolonged Dual Antiplatelet Therapy after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients

OBJECTIVE: It remains controversial whether to extend the course of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We conducted a study to investigate the benefits and risks of applying DAPT for different durations after PCI in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) patients in China. What’s more, we explored the efficacy of extended DAPT regimen based on ticagrelor. METHODS: This single-center prospective cohort study used data obtained from the PHARM-ACS Patient Registration Database. We included all patients who were discharged between April and December 2018. All patients had at least 18 months of follow-up. Patients were divided into two groups according to the duration of DAPT: a 1-year group and a >1-year group. Potential bias between the two groups was adjusted for by propensity score matching using logistic regression. The primary outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke occurring from 12 months after discharge to follow-up visit. The safety endpoint was any significant bleeding event (BARC ≥ 2). RESULTS: Of 3,205 patients enrolled, 2,201 (68.67%) had DAPT prolonged beyond one year. A total of 2,000 patients were successfully propensity score-matched; patients who received DAPT > 1-year (n = 1000), compared with DAPT = 1-year patients (n = 1000), had a similar risk of MACCE (adjusted HR 0.23, 95% CI 0.05–1.10) and significant bleeding events (adjusted HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.32–1.24). The DAPT > 1-year group had a higher risk of revascularization (adjusted HR 3.36, 95% CI 1.64–6.87). CONCLUSION: Prolonged DAPT may not be of sufficient benefit to ACS patients within 12–18 months after the index PCI to offset the increased risk of significant bleeding events.