Ticagrelor monotherapy after short duration of dual antiplatelet therapy compared to continued dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions: an updated meta-analysis

Background The optimum duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remains controversial. Ticagrelor monotherapy after short duration of DAPT (1-3 months) is a subject of research. We conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the ticagrelor monotherapy with continued DAPT after short duration of DAPT in patients with ACS undergoing PCI. Methods PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies comparing ticagrelor monotherapy to DAPT after PCI and reported the outcomes of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE); net adverse clinical events (NACE); myocardial infarction (MI); major bleeding; death from any cause; definite or probable stent thrombosis; and target vessel revascularization (TVR). Data were extracted from published reports and quality assessment was performed per Cochrane recommendations. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager (Cochrane collaboration). Heterogeneity was examined with I-2 test. Results Of 3,208 results, five studies with 21,407 patients were included of which 50% received ticagrelor monotherapy. Studies had reported follow up of 12 months. Major bleeding [hazard ratio 0.47; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.37-0.61; P < 0.001], NACE (hazard ratio 0.71; 95% CI, 0.56-0.90; P = 0.005), and all-cause death (hazard ratio 0.76; 95% CI, 0.59-0.98; P = 0.04) were significantly less with ticagrelor monotherapy. Other outcomes were comparable in both groups. Conclusion In patients with ACS undergoing PCI, ticagrelor monotherapy reduces major bleeding, NACE and all-cause death as compared to continued DAPT for 12 months. Major ischemic outcomes were similar. Ticagrelor monotherapy is the way forward after short duration of DAPT after PCI in ACS.