Rationale and design of the optimal antithrombotic treatment for acute coronary syndrome patients with concomitant atrial fibrillation and implanted with new‐generation drug‐eluting stent: OPtimal management of anTIthroMbotic Agents (OPTIMA)‐4 trial

BACKGROUND: About 5%–15% of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing stent implantation have concomitant atrial fibrillation and need both antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies. The optimal antithrombotic regimen remains uncertain in this scenario. HYPOTHESIS: A multicenter randomized controlled trial (OPtimal management of anTIthroMbotic Agents [OPTIMA]‐4) is designed to test the hypothesis that, for ACS patients with concomitant nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and having low‐to‐moderate risk of bleeding, clopidogrel is comparable in efficacy but superior in safety compared to ticagrelor while being used in combination with dabigatran after new‐generation drug‐eluting stent (DES) implantation. METHODS: ACS patients who have low‐to‐moderate risk of bleeding (e.g., HAS‐BLED score ≤ 2) and require anticoagulation therapy (CHA(2)DS(2)‐VASc score ≥ 2) will be recruited after implantation of new‐generation DES. A total of 1472 eligible patients will be randomly assigned to receive a 12‐month dual antithrombotic treatment of either clopidogrel 75 mg daily or ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily in combination with dabigatran 110 mg twice daily. Participants will be followed up for 12 months after randomization. The primary efficacy endpoint is a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, unplanned revascularization, ischemic stroke, and systemic thromboembolism. The primary safety endpoint is set as major bleeding or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding defined by the International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis. The enrollment and follow‐up have been launched. RESULTS: The first enrollment occurred on March 12, 2018. The recruitment is anticipated to be completed before December 31, 2024. CONCLUSIONS: The OPTIMA‐4 trial offers an opportunity to assess the optimal dual antithrombotic regimen in ACS patients with concomitant NVAF after the implantation of new‐generation DES.