A new analysis of previous trials suggests that some people with coronary artery disease might be able to take a blood thinner alone, instead of combining it with an antiplatelet drug like aspirin. The study looked at 5,924 patients who were at least six months past a procedure to restore blood flow to the heart, such as stenting or bypass surgery, and who needed long-term anticoagulation for other reasons.
Researchers compared people taking an oral anticoagulant by itself with those taking an anticoagulant plus a single antiplatelet drug. They found that the risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, and death, was similar between the two groups. However, the risk of major bleeding was significantly lower with anticoagulant alone.
This is a meta-analysis, meaning it combines results from several randomized controlled trials. While this type of study can provide strong evidence, it is not the same as a single large trial. The findings suggest that for some patients, dropping the antiplatelet drug might be a reasonable way to reduce bleeding risk without increasing heart risks.
It is important to note that this analysis did not report on side effects or other safety issues beyond bleeding. Also, the definition of major cardiovascular events included several outcomes, which may affect how the results apply to individual patients. Anyone considering a change in their blood-thinning medication should talk to their doctor first.
