Discontinuation of Aspirin in Acute Coronary Syndromes Treated with Coronary-Artery Stents

In patients with an acute coronary syndrome who undergo coronary-artery revascularization with stent implantation, dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor (e.g., clopidogrel, ticagrelor, or prasugrel) is typically prescribed. Current society guidelines recommend that the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy for these patients is 12 months (class I indication). 1,2 However, in practice, shortening the 12-month duration of dual antiplatelet therapy may be warranted in certain circumstances, such as when a patient has recurrent bleeding events, has bothersome side effects associated with the medications, or undergoes surgery before the recommended duration of dual antiplatelet therapy has been completed. One . . .