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Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
Published on: March 15, 2022
Dual pathway inhibition in atherothrombosis prevention: yes, now we can!
Francesco Summaria1, Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai2,3, Enrico Romagnoli4
1Division of Cardiology, San Eugenio Hospital, Rome, Italy - f.summaria@gmail.com.
Insights
Optimizing antithrombotic therapy for atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease is crucial. Dual pathway inhibition (DPI) and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) offer tailored options for high-risk patients, improving efficacy and safety.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment remain significant clinical challenges.
- Current antithrombotic strategies include dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and dual pathway inhibition (DPI).
- DPI combines an antiplatelet agent with a reduced-dose anticoagulant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current data on antithrombotic therapies for cardiocerebrovascular disease prevention.
- To guide the selection of appropriate antithrombotic strategies based on patient risk profiles.
- To emphasize personalized therapy for high-risk cardiovascular patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of randomized trials and observational registries spanning nearly thirty years.
- Comparison of DAPT and DPI efficacy in specific patient subgroups.
- Evaluation of treatment outcomes in patients with varying degrees of atherothrombotic involvement.
Main Results:
- DAPT demonstrates superiority over single antiplatelet therapy in high-risk patients post-coronary revascularization with drug-eluting stents (DES).
- DPI is superior to single antiplatelet therapy in patients with atherothrombosis across multiple vascular beds.
- Sufficient evidence exists to customize antithrombotic therapy for high-risk cardiovascular patients.
Conclusions:
- Personalized antithrombotic therapy is essential for optimizing outcomes in atherothrombosis.
- Selecting the right therapy (DAPT or DPI) for the right patient enhances efficacy and safety.
- Stakeholders must leverage current therapeutic opportunities for best patient care.
Abstract:
Despite ongoing developments, prevention and treatment of atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease remains a common challenge. Antithrombotic options for cardiocerebrovascular disease prevention involves a choice between dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and dual pathway inhibition (DPI), which includes an antiplatelet agent and a reduced dose anticoagulant agent. In selected patients at high risk of event and low risk of bleeding, especially those undergoing recent and complex coronary revascularization using drug-eluting stents (DES) ("revascularization-driven effect"), DAPT is superior to single antiplatelet therapy with aspirin. DPI involves a wider potential range of treatment and is superior to single antiplatelet therapy with aspirin, particularly in patients with atherothrombotic involvement in different vascular beds both previously revascularized and not ("no revascularization-driven effect"). After nearly thirty years of randomized trials and observational registries, we have sufficient data to customize antithrombotic therapy in patients at high cardiovascular risk. Therefore, "atherothrombosis stakeholders" must identify the right patient for the right therapy to ensure high levels of efficacy and safety with the best of current therapeutic opportunities.
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