Effectiveness of prolonged clopidogrel-based dual antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent implantation

The use of drug-eluting stents (DESs) for patients with coronary artery disease is widespread. DESs have been associated with a lower rate of repeat revascularization, death, and myocardial infarction compared with bare metal stents. However, DESs can lead to a prothrombotic environment in the coronary arteries, resulting in a higher rate of thrombotic events. To counteract this, dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) consisting of aspirin and clopidogrel is recommended. Currently, there are no clear guidelines on the duration of DAPT. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of prolonged DAPT after DES implantation.