Optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after stent implantation in patients with or without diabetes

A topic of much research and debate within cardiology has been the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin plus a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor to prevent stent thrombosis and further atherosclerotic progression after percutaneous coronary intervention and implantation of a drug eluting stent. Recently, large randomised controlled trials and observational studies have been conducted in an attempt to determine the optimal duration of DAPT, but the results were conflicting or inconclusive.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Indicative of the implications, this area of cardiovascular research has had an effect on a broad range of clinical practice guidelines.8 9 10 11 The common consensus among experts has been that there is no “one size fits all” approach and no common rule for the duration of DAPT after placement of a drug eluting stent, but it is likely to be a case of “the longer the better.” The current recommendation is for 12 months of DAPT, but there are claims that this is actually of uncertain value.12

The study by Gargiulo …