Thromb Haemost 2008; 99(03): 487-493
DOI: 10.1160/TH07-11-0680
Theme Issue Article
Schattauer GmbH

Individualized antithrombotic therapy in high risk patients after coronary stenting. A double-edged sword between thrombosis and bleeding

Andreas E. May
1   Medizinische Klinik III (Kardiologie und Kreislauferkrankungen), Eberhard Karls Universität, Tübingen, Germany
,
Tobias Geisler
1   Medizinische Klinik III (Kardiologie und Kreislauferkrankungen), Eberhard Karls Universität, Tübingen, Germany
,
Meinrad Gawaz
1   Medizinische Klinik III (Kardiologie und Kreislauferkrankungen), Eberhard Karls Universität, Tübingen, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 16 November 2007

Accepted after major revision: 10 January 2008

Publication Date:
07 December 2017 (online)

Preview

Summary

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.