Long-term dual antiplatelet treatment and bleeding complications in diabetic patients treated with drug eluting stent implantation

Dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPLT) for at least 12months is recommended after drug eluting stent (DES) implantation, but concerns regarding the extended use of this treatment persist due to increased risk of bleeding. In this study are assessed the incidence, correlates, and clinical significance of bleeding complications in diabetic patients after long-term DAPLT post DES implantation. We studied 610 consecutive diabetic patients after DES implantation. The primary end point was the occurrence of any bleeding according to the BARC and TIMI definitions. The incidence of overall bleeding was higher in patients on DAPLT (21.1% vs. 4.4%, p