Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Versus Single Antiplatelet Therapy After Transaortic Valve Replacement: Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background The current guidelines recommend empirical therapy with DAPT of aspirin and clopidogrel for six months after TAVR. This recommendation is based on expert consensus only. Giving the lack of clear consensus on treatment strategy following TAVR. Goal of this meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy and safety of mono-antiplatelet therapy (MAPT) versus dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods and Materials We performed a meta-analysis from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and prospective studies that tested DAPT vs. MAPT for all-cause mortality and major bleeding of 603 patients. The primary efficacy outcomes were 30 days mortality and stroke. The primary safety outcomes were major bleeding and major vascular complications. Results We included 603 patients from 4 studies. The use of MAPT was associated with similar mortality rate (5.9% vs. 6.6%; RR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.49–1.71; P  = 0.68) and stroke rate compared with DAPT (1.3% vs. 1.3%; RR 1.04; 95% CI 0.27 to 4.04; P  = 0.81). There was no difference in major vascular complication (4.2% vs. 8.9%; RR 0.52; 95% CI 0.23 to 1.18; P  = 0.17) or minor vascular complication (4.2% vs. 7.3%; RR 0.58; 95% CI 0.25 to 1.34; P  = 0.14). However, MAPT was associated with significantly less risk of major bleeding (4.9% vs. 14.5%; RR 0.37; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.70; P P  = 0.85). Conclusion MAPT use after TAVR is associated with lower rates of major bleeding compared with DAPT with no significant difference in mortality, stroke or vascular complications.