Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies post-CABG show variable evidence for improving graft patency and clinical outcomes, with potential benefits in selective high-risk patient groups.
Does dual antiplatelet therapy or anticoagulation improve graft patency and clinical outcomes in patients post coronary artery bypass surgery compared to aspirin alone?
The optimal antithrombotic regimen post-CABG remains uncertain, though specific subgroups such as off-pump CABG or high-risk patients may benefit from dual antiplatelet therapy or anticoagulation.
BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the gold standard treatment for patients with multivessel coronary heart disease. Although its use has proven long-term survival benefits, there is a relative degree of graft failure which increases morbidity and mortality rates. DISCUSSION: This review discusses clinical outcomes following antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy after CABG. There is wide variation of evidence about the use of clopidogrel or ticagrelor to aspirin postoperatively in relation to improving graft patency rates or clinical outcomes over the use of aspirin alone. These dual therapies may have significant protective effects in patients undergoing off-pump CABG. Recent studies suggest that superior outcomes may be attained by combining prasugrel with aspirin. Further research is needed to evaluate this, as well as compare the effectiveness of different dual antiplatelet regimens. There is weak evidence for post-CABG anticoagulation, with warfarin and rivaroxaban providing no protection against graft failure but decreasing long-term major adverse cardiac events. Anticoagulation seems to be indicated only in post-CABG patients at high risk of future ischemic events. CONCLUSION: The use of dual anti-platelet therapy post coronary artery bypass surgery needs further research. Potentially, selective patient groups will benefit more from the addition of thienopyridine antiplatelets or anticoagulants to aspirin after CABG.
Sembi et al. (Thu,) conducted a review in Post coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy vs. Aspirin alone was evaluated on Graft patency rates and clinical outcomes (major adverse cardiac events). Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies post-CABG show variable evidence for improving graft patency and clinical outcomes, with potential benefits in selective high-risk patient groups.