Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Background
Patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) face a dilemma: preventing stent thrombosis while minimizing anticoagulation-related bleeding. Vitamin K antagonist (VKA)–based triple therapy (VKA plus dual antiplatelet therapy) reduces ischemic events but carries a high bleeding risk. Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC)–based dual therapy may offer benefit, but individual randomized trials have been underpowered to confirm ischemic safety.
Methods
We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library through May 2025 for randomized controlled trials comparing DOAC-based dual therapy versus VKA-based triple therapy after PCI in atrial fibrillation patients. Data extraction and quality assessment followed the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the Mantel–Haenszel method in RevMan 4.2.1. A random-effects model was applied if heterogeneity (I) exceeded 50%; otherwise, a fixed-effects model was used. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.
Results
Five trials enrolling 6,237 patients on DOAC dual therapy and 4,742 on VKA triple therapy were included. DOAC dual therapy significantly reduced bleeding without compromising ischemic protection. TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) major plus minor bleeding was 48% lower with DOACs (286/3,200 vs. 250/1,730 events; RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.35–0.78; I = 68%; p = 0.001). ISTH (International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis) major plus clinically relevant non-major bleeding decreased by 28% (674/4,785 vs. 748/3,995 events; RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.63–0.83; I = 51%; p < 0.0001). The composite ischemic endpoint—cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or stent thrombosis—was similar between groups (473/6,237 vs. 341/4,742 events; RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.85–1.11; I = 0%; p = 0.67).
Conclusions
In atrial fibrillation patients undergoing PCI, DOAC-based dual therapy nearly halved bleeding risk compared with VKA triple therapy while preserving ischemic safety. These findings support DOAC dual therapy as the default post-PCI strategy, reserving triple therapy for those at very high thrombotic risk. Broad adoption may reduce hospitalizations, transfusions, and bleeding-related mortality without compromising cardiovascular outcomes.