In our most recent poll, we surveyed the duration of aspirin after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with atrial fibrillation. The majority (59%) responded that they would continue aspirin for 1 month. Relatively equal numbers indicated they would continue aspirin until the time of discharge (12%), for 1 week after PCI (14%), or would not continue aspirin after PCI (15%). Current American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines recommend dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with clopidogrel preferred over other antiplatelet agents. A transition to double at 4-6 weeks may be considered. In contrast, the updated European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend DAPT with clopidogrel as the default strategy for up to 12 months after a short period up to 1 week of aspirin. Aspirin could be prolonged up to 1 month when the ischemic risk outweighs the bleeding risk.

Clinical Topics: Acute Coronary Syndromes, Arrhythmias and Clinical EP, Invasive Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention, Atrial Fibrillation/Supraventricular Arrhythmias, Interventions and ACS

Keywords: Acute Coronary Syndrome, Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors, Aspirin, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, American Heart Association, Atrial Fibrillation, Patient Discharge

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