Anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy choices for patients with atrial fibrillation one year after coronary stenting or acute coronary syndrome

Introduction: Guidelines recommend a combined anticoagulant and antiplatelet approach for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary stenting (CS) or acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Finding the optimal balance of reducing ischemic risk and minimizing bleeding risk is challenging. Recent trials have evaluated a variety of regimens for up to one year for AF patients after CS/ACS. Little empiric evidence exists about the best antithrombotic strategy beyond one year.

Areas covered: In this review two key areas are covered. First, a summary of the overall risk and benefits of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy in patients with AF and CS or ACS is provided. Second, despite limited empiric evidence to guide therapeutic decisions for combined anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy in patients with AF one year after CS/ACS we provide guidance for shared patient-physician decision making.

Expert opinion: The evidence is limited. For all patients with AF and stable CAD (≥1 year after CS or ACS) the risk for thromboembolism, cardiovascular events and bleeding should be assessed individually. For patients with low bleeding risk and high risk for cardiovascular events, antiplatelet therapy might be added to anticoagulant therapy.