Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and bleeding risk after PCI. A propensity score matching study

Introduction and objectives: Coronary artery disease and mental health disorders are often coexistent. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often used in this context but have been associated with an increased risk of bleeding due to platelet dysfunction. Previous studies have assessed this risk in patients treated with clopidogrel-based dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with contradictory results. However, there is no data regarding the use of SSRIs and potent P2Y(12) inhibitors or triple antithrombotic therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of SSRIs on bleeding outcomes after PCI in patients treated with clopidogrel, prasugrel or ticagrelor-based DAPT or triple antithrombotic therapy. Methods: Retrospective study including all patients undergoing PCI at a high-volume center during 2018. Patients on SSRIs were propensity-score-matched on a 1:1 ratio with patients naive to SSRIs adjusting for the baseline differences. The primary endpoint was major bleeding (BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding) at the 1-year follow-up. Secondary endpoints were a composite of major/non-major clinically relevant bleeding (BARC type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding), and a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events. Results: Out of a total of 1063 patients treated with PCI during the study period, 1002 met the selection criteria, and 139 (13.9%) were on SSRIs. The latter had a higher bleeding risk before matching [PRECISE-DAPT, 16 [10-24] vs 13 [9-21]; P =.040]. No differences were reported in major bleeding (2.9% vs 2.9%, P =.991), major/non-major clinically relevant bleeding (2.9% vs 7.2%, P =.120) or in major adverse cardiovascular events (7.9% vs 7.9%, P =.979) in patients treated with SSRIs. Conclusions: The use of SSRIs was frequent in patients treated with PCI, and although it was a marker of a higher bleeding risk at baseline, this was not associated with an additional bleeding liability.