Optimum Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients Requiring Long-Term Anticoagulation and Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pharmacology
• Interventional Cardiology

Background:

• Long-term anticoagulation is crucial for many patients, particularly those with coronary artery disease (CAD).
• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a common procedure for CAD management.
• Balancing antithrombotic therapy to prevent thrombosis while minimizing bleeding is a significant clinical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize current evidence on the efficacy and safety of different antithrombotic regimens in patients requiring long-term anticoagulation undergoing PCI.
• To evaluate the role of dual therapy (oral anticoagulant plus single antiplatelet) as an alternative to standard triple therapy (oral anticoagulant plus dual antiplatelet).

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search of existing studies and clinical trials.
• Analysis of data on antithrombotic efficacy (prevention of ischemic events) and safety (bleeding risk).
• Comparison of outcomes across various antithrombotic strategies.

Main Results:

• Triple therapy is the current standard but lacks robust evidence supporting its superiority.
• Emerging data suggests dual therapy may offer a favorable balance of safety and efficacy in select patient populations.
• Further research is needed to define optimal antithrombotic strategies.

Conclusions:

• The optimal antithrombotic strategy for patients on long-term anticoagulation undergoing PCI remains an area of active investigation.
• Dual therapy presents a promising alternative to triple therapy, potentially reducing bleeding complications.
• Personalized treatment approaches considering individual patient risk factors are essential.