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World J Cardiol. Apr 26, 2014; 6(4): 148-153
Published online Apr 26, 2014. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v6.i4.148
Duration of dual antiplatelet treatment in the era of next generation drug-eluting stents
Seung-Woon Rha
Seung-Woon Rha, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul 152-703, South Korea
Author contributions: Rha SW solely contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Seung-Woon Rha, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, FESC, FSCAI, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, 80, Guro-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul 152-703, South Korea. swrha617@yahoo.co.kr
Telephone: +82-2-26263020 Fax: +82-2-8643062
Received: October 10, 2013
Revised: December 15, 2013
Accepted: January 6, 2014
Published online: April 26, 2014
Abstract

Current percutaneous coronary intervention guidelines recommend dual antiplatelets (aspirin 100 mg + clopidogrel 75 mg daily) for at least 12 mo following drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation if patients are not at high risk of bleeding. Several reports have tried to shorten the dual antiplatelet therapy to 3-6 mo, especially following next-generation DES implantation, for cost-effectiveness. However, the clinical results are inconsistent and the data regarding next-generation DESs limited. In this report, recently published important pivotal reports regarding the optimal duration of dual antiplatelets following DES implantation are summarized.

Keywords: Drug-eluting stent, Dual antiplatelet treatment, Percutaneous coronary intervention

Core tip: Recently published important pivotal reports regarding the optimal duration of dual antiplatelets following drug-eluting stent implantation are summarized.