Platelet Quiescence in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Abstract

Background The optimal antiplatelet strategy for patients with acute coronary syndromes who require coronary artery bypass surgery remains unclear. While a more potent antiplatelet regimen will predispose to perioperative bleeding, it is hypothesized that through “platelet quiescence,” ischemic protection conferred by such therapy may provide a net clinical benefit. Methods and Results We compared patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery who were treated with a more potent antiplatelet inhibition strategy with those with a less potent inhibition through a meta‐analysis. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality after bypass surgery. The analysis identified 4 studies in which the antiplatelet regimen was randomized and 6 studies that were nonrandomized. Combining all studies, there was an overall higher mortality with weaker strategies compared with more potent strategies (odds ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.03–1.85; P =0.03). Conclusions Our findings support the concept of platelet quiescence, in reducing mortality for patients with acute coronary syndrome requiring coronary artery bypass surgery. This suggests the routine up‐front use of potent antiplatelet regimens in acute coronary syndrome, irrespective of likelihood of coronary artery bypass graft.