Short-term dual antiplatelet therapy effective after carotid artery stenting, claims research

A recent study published in the Stroke; a Journal of Cerebral Circulation found that short-duration dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is as effective and safe as long-duration DAPT for patients undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS). The findings could help clinicians to optimize post-procedure treatment for patients at risk of complications from extended DAPT use.

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a less invasive alternative to carotid endarterectomy for patients with carotid artery stenosis which significantly increases the risk of ischemic stroke. After CAS, DAPT (combination of aspirin and clopidogrel) is prescribed to prevent clot formation and subsequent strokes. This study was set out to determine whether a shorter duration of DAPT could provide comparable protection while minimizing risks of bleeding or other adverse effects.

This research utilized data from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from 2007 to 2019 and analyzed outcomes for 12,034 patients who underwent CAS. This study divided patients into 2 groups based on the duration of DAPT where the patients who received DAPT for at least 90 days but less than six months were included in the Short-DAPT, while the Long-DAPT group comprised patients who maintained DAPT for longer than six months.