Clopidogrel discontinuation within the first year after coronary drug-eluting stent implantation: An observational study

Troels Thim, Martin Berg Johansen, Gro Egholm Chisholm, Morten Schmidt, Anne Kaltoft, Henrik Toft Sørensen, Leif Thuesen, Steen Dalby Kristensen, Hans Erik Bøtker, Lars Romer Krusell, Jens Flensted Lassen, Per Thayssen, Lisette Okkels Jensen, Hans-Henrik Tilsted, Michael Maeng

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The impact of adherence to the recommended duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after first generation drug-eluting stent implantation is difficult to assess in real-world settings and limited data are available.

METHODS: We followed 4,154 patients treated with coronary drug-eluting stents in Western Denmark for 1 year and obtained data on redeemed clopidogrel prescriptions and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, i.e., cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis) from medical databases.

RESULTS: Discontinuation of clopidogrel within the first 3 months after stent implantation was associated with a significantly increased rate of MACE at 1-year follow-up (hazard ratio (HR) 2.06; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-3.93). Discontinuation 3-6 months (HR 1.29; 95% CI: 0.70-2.41) and 6-12 months (HR 1.29; 95% CI: 0.54-3.07) after stent implantation were associated with smaller, not statistically significant, increases in MACE rates. Among patients who discontinued clopidogrel, MACE rates were highest within the first 2 months after discontinuation.

CONCLUSIONS: Discontinuation of clopidogrel was associated with an increased rate of MACE among patients treated with drug-eluting stents. The increase was statistically significant within the first 3 months after drug-eluting stent implantation but not after 3 to 12 months.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100
JournalB M C Cardiovascular Disorders
Volume14
ISSN1471-2261
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

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