Peer Reviewed
Therapeutics clinic

Duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after ACS: a moving target

Adam J Nelson, Matthew I Worthley
Abstract
Secondary prevention with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is recommended for most patients after acute coronary syndrome. The optimal duration of DAPT (ranging from 14 days to more than 12 months) is influenced by factors such as the nature of the index cardiac event, extent and complexity of angiographic disease and stenting procedure, and balance of long-term ischaemic versus bleeding risk.
Key Points

    Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality in Australia, costing more than $5 billion to our healthcare system in 2010.1 The greatest risk factor for ACS is a previous ACS, and almost one-third of the financial impost of all ACS is driven by repeat events.1 Secondary prevention through lifestyle changes and pharmacotherapy remains pivotal to reducing the burden of ACS on patients and our healthcare system.

    Picture credit: © Lisa A. Clark

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