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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

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Published on: March 15, 2022
Individualized antithrombotic therapy in high risk patients after coronary stenting. A double-edged sword between
Andreas E May1, Tobias Geisler, Meinrad Gawaz
1Medizinische Klinik III (Kardiologie und Kreislauferkrankungen), Eberhard Karls Universität, Tübingen, Germany. andreas.may@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Insights
Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel is standard after stenting. Individualized DAPT duration and intensity are crucial for high-risk patients to balance stent thrombosis prevention and bleeding risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel is the standard treatment post-coronary stent implantation to prevent stent thrombosis.
- Individual patient risk factors and procedural characteristics necessitate personalized DAPT strategies regarding duration and intensity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature and guidelines for stratifying patients who may benefit from individualized antithrombotic regimens.
- To address the limitations of conventional DAPT in specific high-risk patient subgroups.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of evidence-based guidelines and randomized trials.
- Analysis of factors influencing stent thrombosis risk and bleeding complications.
- Stratification of patient collectives for tailored antithrombotic therapy.
Main Results:
- Current DAPT duration recommendations vary widely (four weeks to one year) based on clinical and procedural factors.
- Evidence is insufficient for conventional DAPT in patients requiring anticoagulation, perioperative antiplatelet withholding, or those with clopidogrel low response.
- Individualized antithrombotic strategies are needed for specific high-risk patient groups.
Conclusions:
- Personalized DAPT is essential to optimize the benefit-risk ratio of antithrombotic therapy after coronary stenting.
- Further research and tailored approaches are required for high-risk populations to improve outcomes.
- Stratification of patients can guide individualized antithrombotic regimens, balancing efficacy and safety.
Abstract:
Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is currently the standard therapy after coronary stent implantation to prevent a life-threatening stent thrombosis. However, a variety of procedural and individual factors contribute to the individual patient risk and have to be taken into account to allow for an individual recommendation for both the duration and intensity of the antiplatelet therapy. Obviously, the benefit of the prevention of stent thrombosis by antithrombotic therapy has to outweigh the risk of severe bleeding complications. Depending on the individual clinical situation and procedural characteristics (stent type, length, angiographic result etc.), the recommended duration of the combined antiplatelet therapy currently varies from four weeks to at least one year. These recommendations are mainly based on large, prospective, randomized trials and evidence-based guidelines. However, in a subgroup of high-risk patients there is insufficient evidence for the benefit of conventional dual antiplatelet regimen. These include i) patients with an indication for anticoagulation, ii) patients with urgent need for an operation requiring a perioperative withholding of antiplatelet therapy, as well as iii) clopidogrel low responders. This review aims to provide a stratification to define patient collectives who may benefit from more individualized antithrombotic regimens on behalf of currently available literature and guidelines.
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