More Bleeding With Prolonged Dual Antiplatelet Therapy

Major Finding: Up to 24 months of dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary stent implantation was not more effective than 6 months and significantly increased the risk for hemorrhage.

Data Source: Multicenter randomized open-label study of 1,970 patients given clopidogrel for 6 months or up to 24 months after receiving one of four types of stents (sirolimus-eluting stent, paclitaxel-eluting stent, zotarolimus-eluting stent, or third-generation thin-strut bare metal stent).

Disclosures: Dr. Valgimigli’s university sponsored the study. He has received research funds from, or been an adviser or speaker for, Merck, Iroko, Eli Lilly, Medtronic, The Medicines Company, Daiichi Sankyo, St. Jude, Abbott Vascular, Cordis, CID, Terumo, and Accumetrics.