Antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing coronary stenting: The risk of late stent thrombosis

Anticoagulation after coronary stenting is essential to prevent stent thrombosis. Drug-eluting stents, which are the preferred therapy, may be associated with a higher tendency for stent thrombosis.Patients who underwent coronary stent placement and presented with late stent thrombosis are described.Eight patients with stent thrombosis are presented. Early discontinuation of the antithrombotic medication is associated with the occurrence of these complications.Long-term antithrombotic therapy seems essential to prevent stent thrombosis, especially for patients treated with drug-eluting stents.