Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the long term comparative effectiveness of P2Y(12) inhibitor monotherapy compared with aspirin monotherapy in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). DESIGN: Individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. DATA SOURCES: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Ovid/Embase. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Randomised trials investigating monotherapy with a P2Y(12) inhibitor or aspirin for secondary prevention of ischaemic events in patients with coronary artery disease who underwent PCI. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Anonymised IPD were extracted and transferred to the coordinating centre by dedicated electronic spreadsheets. Data were primarily combined by mixed effects models (one stage analysis) and complemented with multivariable mixed effects models and two stage analyses based on random effects models. The primary and co-primary outcomes were a composite of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and major bleeding, respectively. The secondary outcomes included a net composite of adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (NACCE), derived from the combination of the primary and co-primary outcomes, and individual ischaemic and bleeding events. RESULTS: A total of 16 117 patients assigned to P2Y(12) inhibitor or aspirin monotherapy after PCI and completion of the recommended DAPT regimen (median duration of 12 months) in five randomised trials were included. At a median follow-up of 1351 days (interquartile range 373-1791 days), P2Y(12) inhibitor monotherapy was associated with a lower risk of MACCE compared with aspirin monotherapy (one stage analysis: hazard ratio 0.77 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67 to 0.89), P<0.001; multivariable one stage analysis: adjusted hazard ratio 0.77 (0.67 to 0.89), P<0.001; two stage analysis: hazard ratio 0.77 (0.67 to 0.89), P<0.001), yielding a number needed to treat to benefit of 45.5 (95% CI 31.4 to 93.6). No significant difference in major bleeding (one stage analysis: hazard ratio 1.26 (0.78 to 2.04), P=0.35; multivariable one stage analysis: 1.12 (0.74 to 1.70), P=0.60; two stage analysis: 1.15 (0.69 to 1.92), P=0.59) was observed. NACCE, myocardial infarction, and stroke were lower in patients assigned to a P2Y(12) inhibitor compared with those assigned to aspirin. These findings were confirmed across multiple sensitivity and subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who had undergone PCI and discontinued DAPT, at a follow-up of about 5.5 years, P2Y(12) inhibitor monotherapy with ticagrelor or clopidogrel was associated with lower MACCE, owing to reduced rates of myocardial infarction and stroke compared with aspirin monotherapy, without a concurrent increased risk of major bleeding. REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42024517983.