[Focused update on dual antiplatelet treatment : ESC guidelines 2017]

Dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT) is a cornerstone of maintenance medication of patients following elective percutaneous coronary interventions or an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), e. g. ST elevation myocardial infarction, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina. In recent years the inclusion of P2Y₁₂ inhibition in addition to low-dose acetylsalicylic acid has been intensively debated. Following the introduction of the modern generation of drug-eluting stents for elective coronary interventions, the duration of the necessary DAPT has been clearly reduced. In patients with ACS the question arises when treatment with one of the more potent P2Y₁₂ inhibitors, such as prasugrel and ticagrelor should be used instead of clopidogrel. A potential extension of DAPT beyond 12 months can be considered in high-risk patients after implantation of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds and following myocardial infarction. A special focus is on those patients who have already been treated with oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and require additional platelet inhibition following coronary stenting. This article summarizes and assesses the major recommendations given in the Focused Update DAPT 2017 of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). In particular the recommendations address strategies to reduce an increased risk of bleeding based on clinical predictors.