ACC/AHA Issue Updated Guidelines on Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in CAD
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) issued updated guidelines for dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Dual antiplatelet therapy is a combination of aspirin with a P2Y12 inhibitor such as clopidogrel, prasugrel or ticagrelor. This therapy is prescribed to reduce the risks of future heart attack and coronary stent thrombosis. This focused update accounts for 12 new studies on the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after coronary stenting, particularly later-generation drug-eluting stents (DES). The update affects parts of prior guidelines on percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting, stable ischemic heart disease (IHD), ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-segment acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS), and perioperative evaluation for noncardiac surgery. The class (strength) of recommendations is noted below in pertinent...