Preoperative Cessation of Both Dual Anti-Platelet Agents Is Safe after 1 Year in Patients Receiving Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the atherothrombotic and bleeding risk of discontinuing both components of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) before surgery in patients with an intracoronary stent after 1 year. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 212 patients who received an evaluation of perioperative cardiac risk and underwent surgery from March 2017 to March 2019. We divided them into 2 groups: the discontinuation of both antiplatelet agents group (DCAP, no use of any antiplatelet agent) and the continuation of at least 1 antiplatelet agent group (CAP). The primary composite endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including death, angina, postoperative coronary angiography, stroke, and readmission within 30 days postoperatively. The second endpoint was bleeding requiring the transfusion of ≥2 packs of red blood cells (RBCs) RESULT: A total of 136 patients were enrolled in the study, with 68 in the DCAP group and 68 in the CAP group. The occurrence of MACE did not significantly differ between the groups (25% vs. 17.6%, p=0.295). The incidence of bleeding that required a transfusion was higher in the CAP group (16.2% vs. 30.9%, p=0.044). The postoperative change in hemoglobin levels (−1.9 g/dL vs. −1.8 g/dL, p=0.742), and the number of transfused packs of RBCs (3.5 vs. 5.3, p=0.347) were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Preoperative discontinuation of DAPT did not increase the risk of MACE. However, continuation of at least 1 antiplatelet agent increased the incidence of bleeding requiring RBC transfusion. Further research with a large cohort is warranted.