Real-world long-term outcomes of clopidogrel-based dual antiplatelet therapy post-drug-eluting stent implantation in all comers patients: A retrospective evaluation

Study objective The objective of this study was to describe the real-world clinical outcomes among patients receiving clopidogrel-based dual antiplatelet therapy following PCI with drug-eluting stents. Design This was a retrospective study. Outcomes were assessed by clopidogrel–aspirin DAPT, lipid-lowering therapy, and stent type. Setting Tertiary care cardiology centre in India to evaluate real-world outcomes following PCI with drug-eluting stents (DES) in all patients. Participants The study included 1039 PCI-DES patients. Interventions Clopidogrel–aspirin DAPT. Main outcome measures Analyses covered event rates, DAPT duration, repeat interventions, and LVEF. Subgroups were compared by age, sex, infarct type, stent type, and LDL-C targets. Results Of 1039 patients, 712 had STEMI and 327 had other cardiac conditions. A total of 1349 DES were implanted, mostly sirolimus stents (63.7%). Clopidogrel-based DAPT was very safe, with a MACE rate of 0.29%, slightly higher in older patients (≥55 years), those with ≥4 stents, and those with reduced/unimproved LVEF. Rosuvastatin monotherapy achieved LDL-C < 100 mg/dL with minimal events. Stent type did not affect outcomes, with low repeat interventions (3.4% same vessel, 3.1% other vessels). Conclusion Clopidogrel with rosuvastatin was safe, effective, and consistent post-PCI, with low events and outcomes independent of stent type.