Generic placeholder image

Current Vascular Pharmacology

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1570-1611
ISSN (Online): 1875-6212

Review Article

Is there a Role for Oral Triple Therapy in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes Without Atrial Fibrillation?

Author(s): Nikolaos Spinthakis*, Mohamed Farag, Zaki Akhtar and Diana A. Gorog

Volume 16, Issue 5, 2018

Page: [427 - 436] Pages: 10

DOI: 10.2174/1570161116666180117105339

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patients, despite treatment with Dual Anti- Platelet Therapy (DAPT), have up to 10% risk of recurrent Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACE) in the short term.

Methods: Here we review studies using more potent antithrombotic agent combinations to reduce this risk, namely Triple Therapy (TT) with the addition of an oral anticoagulant, PAR-1 antagonist, or cilostazol to DAPT (mainly aspirin and clopidogrel), and discuss the limitations of trials to date.

Results: Generally speaking, TT leads to an increase in bleeding. Vorapaxar showed a signal for reducing ischaemic events, but increased intracranial haemorrhage 3-fold in the subacute phase of ACS, although remains an option for secondary prevention beyond the immediate subacute phase, particularly if prasugrel or ticagrelor are not available. Non-Vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) all increased bleeding, with only modest reduction in MACE noted with low dose rivaroxaban. Rivaroxaban can be considered combined with aspirin and clopidogrel in ACS patients at high ischaemic and low bleeding risk, without prior stroke/TIA. The combination of P2Y12 inhibitor and NOAC, without aspirin, looks promising. DAPT may be replaced, not by TT, but by dual therapy comprising a NOAC with a P2Y12 inhibitor.

Conclusion: More potent antithrombotic regimens increase bleeding and should only be considered on an individual basis, after careful risk stratification. Accurate risk stratification of ACS patients, for both ischaemic and bleeding risk, is essential to allow individualised treatment.

Keywords: Acute coronary syndromes, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, thrombosis, newer oral anticoagulants, rivaroxaban.

Graphical Abstract

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy