Secondary Prevention after Carotid Stenting in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

IntroductionThere is no consensus on the optimal secondary stroke prevention regimen for patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS). Our objective is to compare the long-term efficacy and safety of different medical regimens after CAS.MethodsThis retrospective observational study included patients with pre-existing atrial fibrillation who underwent CAS from 2011 to 2024. Patients were divided into three treatment groups: dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), single antiplatelet therapy plus oral anticoagulation (AA), and triple therapy (dual antiplatelet therapy plus oral anticoagulation, TT). The primary outcome was the incidence of major bleeding. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of clinically relevant minor bleeding, recurrent stroke, and stent thrombosis.ResultsOf the 1047 patients who underwent CAS, 129 met the inclusion criteria: 31 in the DAPT group, 46 in the AA group, and 52 in the TT group. At 3 months, major bleeding events occurred in 3.2% (1/31) of patients in the DAPT group, 6.5% (3/46) in the AA group, and 7.7% (4/52) in the TT group (<i>P</i> = 0.71). Ischemic stroke after stent placement occurred in 6.4% (2/31) of cases in the DAPT group, compared to 4.3% (2/46) in the AA group and 1.9% (1/52) in the TT group (<i>P</i> = 0.57). Stent thrombosis occurred in 3.2% (1/31) of patients in the DAPT group, 6.5% (3/46) in the AA group, and 1.9% (1/52) in the TT group (<i>P</i> = 0.32).ConclusionOur findings suggest no significant differences in bleeding events or ischemic outcomes among the different antiplatelet and anticoagulation regimens in patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent CAS.