Incidence of premature discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation

Abstract

Background: Antiplatelet therapy in patients with sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) may be stopped because of bleeding or an invasive procedure. Methods and Results: In 254 patients with SES, the incidence of discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy and subsequent adverse cardiac events was evaluated. Follow-up was complete for 97.2% of the population and mean follow-up was 15.6±8.9 months. Discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy occurred for 46 patients (18.1 %): 1 case of late stent thrombosis (2.2%) occurred 10 days after cessation of therapy because of pulmonary hemorrhage 7 months after SES deployment. Conclusion: Discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy in patients with SES is not infrequent.