Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet therapy with or without warfarin in patients with a clinical indication for DAPT and chronic anticoagulation: A meta-analysis of observational studies

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2016 Jul;88(1):E12-22. doi: 10.1002/ccd.26234. Epub 2015 Sep 10.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and triple therapy (TT, dual antiplatelet plus warfarin) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) or PCI with stenting (PCI-S) who also require chronic oral anticoagulation.

Background: Recommendations for the optimal antiplatelet/anticoagulant treatment regimen for patients undergoing PCI-S or MI who also require oral anticoagulation are largely based on evidence from observational studies and expert opinions.

Methods: A systematic search was performed for studies comparing TT vs. DAPT in patients post PCI-S or MI and requiring chronic anticoagulation. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were ischemic stroke, major bleeding, MI, and stent thrombosis. Pooled relative risks (RR) were calculated using random effects model.

Results: A total of 17 studies were included, with 14,921 patients [TT: 5,819(39%) and DAPT: 9,102(61%)] and a mean follow-up of 1.6 years. The majority of patients required oral anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation. Compared to DAPT, patients treated with TT had no significant difference in all-cause mortality [RR: 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.61-1.08, P = 0.15], MI [RR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.51-1.06, P = 0.10], and stent thrombosis [RR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.35-1.30, P = 0.24]. Patients treated with TT had significantly increased risk of major bleeding [RR 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03-1.39, P = 0.02], whereas the risk for ischemic stroke was significantly lower [RR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.38-0.92, P = 0.02].

Conclusions: All-cause mortality appears similar in patients treated with TT or DAPT although TT was associated with higher rates of major bleeding and a lower risk for ischemic stroke. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords: ACS; ACS/MSTEMI; META; dual antiplatelet therapy DAPT; meta-analysis; triple therapy TT.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage*
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects
  • Atrial Fibrillation / complications
  • Atrial Fibrillation / diagnosis
  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / mortality
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Comorbidity
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis
  • Myocardial Infarction / mortality
  • Myocardial Infarction / therapy*
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Odds Ratio
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention* / adverse effects
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention* / instrumentation
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Risk Factors
  • Stents
  • Stroke / etiology
  • Stroke / prevention & control
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Warfarin / administration & dosage*
  • Warfarin / adverse effects

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Warfarin