Abstract 15510: Trials of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Do Not Include Evidence-Based Strategies for Gastrointestinal Bleeding Prevention

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) substantially reduce the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and are recommended for high-risk patients by professional cardiology societies but remain underused in clinical practice. By reducing hemorrhagic risk associated with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), PPIs may affect the risk-benefit equation of varying durations of DAPT and should be considered in such clinical trials. We sought to determine the extent to which randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating DAPT after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) provide guidance on the use of PPIs for GIB prevention. Methods: A previously completed systematic review was updated to identify all RCTs comparing varying durations of DAPT between June 1983 and October 2019. Primary publications, online supplements, clinical trial registries and additional publications linked to the trial registration number were reviewed for protocol information. Results: Of 21 included studies (n=58,625; Figure), none of the study protocols provided guidance on the use of PPIs by trial participants. One study stated that the decision to use PPIs was left to the discretion of the treating physician. Two studies specified that treating physicians could prescribe non-mandated medications concordant with standard of care but did not specifically mention PPIs. Only 5 studies reported rates of PPI use, which ranged from 25.6-69.1%. Conclusions: Trials of DAPT regimens did not provide guidance on the use of PPI gastroprotection, a guideline-supported strategy for prevention of bleeding from the GI tract, the most common site of bleeding in patients using DAPT. Guidance on and reporting of PPI use should be mandatory in future antithrombotic trials to enhance their safety and interpretability. Figure 1. PRISMA flow diagram