The Safety and Efficacy of Triple Antiplatelet Therapy after Intracranial Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization.

BACKGROUND: Stent-assisted coil embolization is effective for intracranial aneurysms, especially for wide-necked aneurysms; however, the optimal antiplatelet regimens for postoperative ischemic events have not yet been established. We aimed at determining the efficacy and safety of a triple antiplatelet therapy regimen after intracranial stent-assisted coil embolization.

METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent stent-assisted coil embolization for unruptured intracranial aneurysms or during the chronic phase of a ruptured intracranial aneurysm (≥ 4 weeks after subarachnoid hemorrhage onset). We recorded the incidence of ischemic and bleeding events 140 days postoperatively.

RESULTS: We assessed 79 cases in patients who received either dual (n = 51) or triple (n = 28) antiplatelet therapy. The duration of triple antiplatelet therapy was 49 ± 29 days. Seven patients in the dual group experienced postoperative ischemic events. Compared to the dual group, the triple group had a similar incidence of postoperative bleeding events but a significantly lower incidence of postoperative ischemic events (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: Triple antiplatelet therapy had a significantly lower incidence of postoperative ischemic events and a similar incidence of postoperative bleeding events 140 days postoperatively.