Summary

An analysis of mortality in the DAPT study revealed that although there was a borderline increase in mortality in the continued thienopyridine arm, it was mainly related to non-cardiovascular deaths, and bleeding accounted for a minority of these deaths. Although cancer-related deaths were increased with continued thienopyridine, there was no difference in cancer incidence between randomized groups, and these deaths may have been attributed to an imbalance in subjects with known cancer at the time of enrollment, Although dual antiplatelet therapy beyond 12 months after coronary stenting should be considered for prevention of myocardial infarction, the risks should be considered carefully.