What Are the Long-Term Effects of Dual vs. Single Antiplatelet Therapy After Coronary-Artery Bypass Grafting?

A plethora of recent studies of patients with coronary disease suggests fewer ischemic and bleeding events with single antiplatelet monotherapy than with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). In patients who underwent coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) with vein grafts, though, some evidence of benefit from DAPT has emerged. Now, investigators report 5-year results from a multicenter, open-label trial from China, which randomized patients who underwent CABG and saphenous vein grafts to receive ticagrelor, aspirin, or their combination for 1 year; afterwards, patients received physician-directed care.

Among 500 enrolled patients, 148 had major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs; all-cause death, stroke, myocardial infarction, or coronary re…