European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Objective: Patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with implantation of coronary stent are often prescribed with two different antiplatelet agents.The objective of our study was to find out the incidence of major and minor bleeding and their associated risk factors. Method: A cohort of 183 patients receiving Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT) was investigated. Demographic data, bleeding patterns, prevalent risk factors, and interventions were analysed. To categorise and evaluate the severity of the bleeding, The Global Use of Strategies to Open  Occluded Arteries (GUSTO) and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC)bleeding classifications were used. Results: Among the patients, 66.6% were males. Bleeding occurred in 32.14% of those on Aspirin-Clopidogrel and 30.23% on Aspirin-Ticagrelor combinations. Hypertension (71.5%), diabetes (39.3%), and dyslipidaemia (57.3%) were common risk factors. Upper GI Bleed (13.7%) and Hematuria (13.7%) were primary bleeding patterns, while Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) was seen in 3 cases. Hospitalization was required for 21 patients. According to BARC, 38 had type 1 bleeding, and 21 had other formof bleeding; 124 had no bleeding. According to GUSTO, 6 had severe and 7 had moderate bleeding. Eight patients transitioned to Single Antiplatelet Therapy due to severe bleeding. Conclusion: Our study underscores the complexity of bleeding risks in DAPT patients, emphasizing the need for tailored treatment strategies. Future research should explore underlying mechanisms of bleeding events and the long-term impact on patient outcomes. Developing standardized protocols for risk assessment and management is crucial for optimizing clinical practice and patient safety.