New Recommendations for Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes

A new guideline recommends short duration of DAPT if bleeding risk is high and advises bivalirudin instead of heparin for PCI.

Sponsoring Organizations: American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, American College of Emergency Physicians, National Association of EMS Physicians, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions

Background

This guideline is the first to focus on acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) as a whole; previous guidelines focused separately on ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI; NEJM JW Cardiol Jan 16 2013 and Circulation 2013; 127:e362) and non-STEMI (NEJM JW Cardiol Nov 4 2014 and J Am Coll Cardiol 2014; 64:e139). Recommendations pertain to patients with recent ACS (i.e., occurring within 12 months). Below are key recommendations for antithrombotic therapy in these patients (a separate Guideline Watch highlight…

Reviewing Author

Behnood Bikdeli, MD, MS

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportBrigham and Women’s Hospital; American Heart Association and VIVA Physicians

Editorial BoardsThrombosis Research; Thrombosis and Haemostasis; Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Vascular Medicine (Research, Quality, and Publications Committee member); International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis