CardioExchange Archive

September 19th, 2012

Stopping DAPT for DES Before 12 Months: Cutting-Edge or Dangerous?

Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, Richard A. Lange, MD, MBA and L. David Hillis, MD

Dr. Deepak Bhatt ponders the clinical implications of two studies suggesting that early discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy is safe — and concludes that the findings will probably not change his practice.

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August 28th, 2012

WOEST: Get Rid of the Aspirin in Triple Therapy

Larry Husten, PHD

According to current guidelines and clinical practice, PCI patients already taking an oral anticoagulant generally end up on triple therapy comprising the anticoagulant plus clopidogrel and aspirin. However, there is no supporting evidence base for this approach, and the triple-therapy regimen is known to increase bleeding complications. Now a new study — the first randomized […]

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July 16th, 2012

Does PPI + DAPT = MI?

Richard A. Lange, MD, MBA and L. David Hillis, MD

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel is the standard of care for prevention of coronary stent thrombosis. Unfortunately, DAPT is associated with an increased risk for gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Although this risk can be reduced with the concomitant administration of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), initial observational studies suggested that PPI use with DAPT is associated with an increased […]

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May 15th, 2012

Xience Stents Gain European Nod for 3-Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy

Larry Husten, PHD

The biggest drawback to drug-eluting stents has been the requirement for prolonged dual antiplatelet (DAPT) therapy following stent implantation to prevent stent thrombosis and other potential complications. The precise length of DAPT has been the subject of considerable discussion and research. Now the Xience Prime and Xience V everolimus-eluting stents have received the CE Mark in […]

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November 7th, 2011

ACC and AHA Release New PCI and CABG Guidelines

Larry Husten, PHD

The AHA and the ACC have released updated 2011 guidelines for PCI and CABG. The guidelines are available online on the JACC website (here and here) and on the Circulation website. The new guidelines include for the first time a strong recommendation that hospitals adopt a “heart team” approach in choosing a treatment strategy for patients with coronary […]

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June 2nd, 2011

Small Study Suggests Possible Benefits of Fish-Oil Supplements for PCI Patients

Larry Husten, PHD

A small study from Poland raises the possibility that supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids may have beneficial effects when given to PCI patients already taking aspirin and clopidogrel. The investigator-initiated study randomized 54 PCI patients to either 1 g per day of n-3 PUFA daily or placebo for one month. The results have been published […]

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