BACKGROUND:

Optimal duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of a bifurcation stenosis is still debated. We evaluated the impact of DAPT duration on clinical outcomes in all-comers patients undergoing bifurcation PCI included in the European Bifurcation Club (EBC) registry.

METHODS:

We enrolled 2284 consecutive patients who completed at least 18 months follow-up. The cumulative occurrence of Major Adverse Cardiac and Cardiovascular Events (MACCE), defined as a composite of overall-death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), target vessel revascularization (TVR) and stroke were evaluated. Bleedings classified as BARC ≥ 3 were evaluated too.

RESULTS:

Patients were divided into 3 groups: Short DAPT (<6-months, n=375); Standard DAPT (≥6-months but ≤12-months, n=636); Prolonged DAPT (>12- months, n=1273). At 24 months follow-up MACCE-free survival was significantly lower in Short DAPT patients (Log-Rank: 45.23, p for trend <0.001). MACCE occurred less frequently in the Prolonged DAPT group (148 (11.6%)) as compared with both the Short (83 (22.1%) HR:0.48 (0.37-0.63), p<0.001) and Standard DAPT groups (137 (21.5%) HR:0.51 (0.41-0.65), p<0.001). These differences remain after propensity score adjustment (respectively, HR: 0.27 (0.20-0.36) and HR: 0.44 (0.34-0.57)). Such finding was consistent in patients presenting with both acute and chronic coronary syndromes. BARC ≥ 3 bleedings were 0.3% in the Standard DAPT, 1.6% in Short and 1.9% in Prolonged DAPT groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

In the "real-world" EBC registry of patients undergoing PCI of coronary artery bifurcation stenosis, a prolonged DAPT duration was associated with a significantly lower risk of MACCE and a potential increased risk of major bleedings.