Double antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent implantation: risk associated with discontinuation within the first year.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the risk associated with double antiplatelet therapy (DAT) discontinuation, and specifically, temporary discontinuation, during the first year after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.

Background: Doubts remain about the risk of temporary DAT discontinuation within 1 year after DES implantation.

Methods: A total of 1,622 consecutive patients undergoing DES implantation at 29 hospitals were followed up at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months to record the 1-year antiplatelet therapy discontinuation (ATD) rate, the number of days without DAT, and the rate of 1-year major cardiac events.