Dual antiplatelet
therapy (
DAPT) and subsequent P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy, particularly
ticagrelor, is an emerging treatment strategy in patients undergoing
percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This meta-analysis was designed to investigate whether short-term
DAPT followed by
ticagrelor monotherapy is associated with a favorable outcome as compared with standard
DAPT (1-3 months of
DAPT was termed "short-term"
DAPT, 6-12 months
DAPT was termed "standard"
DAPT). The primary outcome was the composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (
MACE) comprising
myocardial infarction,
stroke, and cardiovascular death. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality and net adverse clinical events (NACE;
myocardial infarction,
stroke, all-cause death,
stent thrombosis, and major
bleeding). The primary safety outcome was major
bleeding. Three studies comprising 26,143 patients were included. The risk of
MACE was similar between the two treatment groups (risk ratio (RR) 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72-1.02, P = 0.08, I2 = 22%). Short-term
DAPT followed by
ticagrelor monotherapy resulted in a 20% relative risk reduction of all-cause mortality (RR 0.80, 95% CI, 0.65-0.98, P = 0.03, I2 = 0%) and an 18% relative risk reduction of NACE (RR 0.82, 95% CI, 0.71-0.94, P = 0.005, I2 = 33%) as compared with standard
DAPT. Short-term
DAPT followed by
ticagrelor monotherapy significantly decreased the risk of major
bleeding (RR 0.67, 95% CI, 0.49-0.92, P = 0.01, I2 = 65%). In patients with
acute coronary syndrome, short-term
DAPT followed by
ticagrelor monotherapy resulted in an unchanged ischemic risk but a significantly lower
bleeding risk compared with standard
DAPT. Short-term
DAPT followed by
ticagrelor monotherapy compared with standard
DAPT resulted in a favorable safety and efficacy profile. Direct comparisons of
aspirin vs.
ticagrelor monotherapy following PCI are needed.