BMC Cardiovascular Disorders (Apr 2025)

Abbreviated dual antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

  • Hamidreza Soleimani,
  • Elaheh Karimi,
  • Mehrdad Mahalleh,
  • Fatemeh Jodeiri Entezari,
  • Ali Nasrollahizadeh,
  • Amir Nasrollahizadeh,
  • Hamed Rafiee,
  • Parvin Kalhor,
  • Karim M. Al-Azizi,
  • Luis H. Paz Rios,
  • Wilbert S. Aronow,
  • Andrew P. Ambrosy,
  • Kaveh Hosseini

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-025-04765-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 1
pp. 1 – 19

Abstract

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Abstract Background Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), combining aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, is a standard post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treatment to reduce thrombosis and ischemic events. However, the optimal DAPT duration remains unclear, with concerns about bleeding risks associated with long-term potent P2Y12 inhibitors. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the safety and efficacy of shortened DAPT regimens. Methods A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing conventional DAPT (≥ 12 months) and abbreviated DAPT (≤ 3 months) post-PCI. Primary outcomes were 1-year all-cause mortality and bleeding, assessed using the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) classification. Secondary outcomes included cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane tool, and meta-analyses used random-effects models. Results Forty studies involving 54,233 participants were included. Abbreviated DAPT significantly reduced all-cause mortality (RR: 0.90, 95%CI: 0.82–0.98) and bleeding (BARC 3 or 5: RR: 0.77, 95%CI: 0.60–0.97). No significant differences were observed in cardiovascular mortality, stroke, non-fatal MI, revascularization, or in-stent thrombosis. Subgroup analyses showed lower mortality with 1-month DAPT and reduced bleeding in patients with high bleeding risk, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and complex PCI. Conclusions Abbreviated DAPT post-PCI is associated with lower all-cause mortality and bleeding without compromising ischemic protection, supporting its use in specific patient populations. Individualized DAPT durations should be considered to balance bleeding and ischemic risks.

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