DOI 10.1378/chest.08-0685
2008;133;776S-814SChest
Guyatt, Daniel B. Mark and Robert A. Harrington
Ezekowitz, Christopher M. O'Connor, David A. Vorchheimer, Gordon H.
Richard C. Becker, Thomas W. Meade, Peter B. Berger, Michael
Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition)
Evidence-BasedCollege of Chest Physicians
: American*Coronary Artery Disease
The Primary and Secondary Prevention of
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The Primary and Secondary Prevention
of Coronary Artery Disease*
American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-
Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition)
Richard C. Becker, MD; Thomas W. Meade, DM, FCCP; Peter B. Berger, MD;
Michael Ezekowitz, MD; Christopher M. O’Connor, MD;
David A. Vorchheimer, MD; Gordon H. Guyatt, MD, FCCP;
Daniel B. Mark, MD; and Robert A. Harrington, MD, FCCP
The following chapter devoted to antithrombotic therapy for chronic coronary artery disease (CAD)
is part of the Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy: American College of Chest Physicians
Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition). Grade 1 recommendations are strong and
indicate that the benefits do or do not outweigh risks, burden, and costs. Grade 2 suggests that
individual patient values may lead to different choices (for a full understanding of the grading see the
“Grades of Recommendation” chapter by Guyatt et al in this supplement, CHEST 2008; 133[suppl]:
123S–131S). Among the key recommendations in this chapter are the following: for patients with
non–ST-segment elevation (NSTE)-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) we recommend daily oral aspirin
(75–100 mg) [Grade 1A]. For patients with an aspirin allergy, we recommend clopidogrel, 75 mg/d
(Grade 1A). For patients who have received clopidogrel and are scheduled for coronary bypass
surgery, we suggest discontinuing clopidogrel for 5 days prior to the scheduled surgery (Grade 2A).
For patients after myocardial infarction, after ACS, and those with stable CAD and patients
after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), we recommend daily aspirin (75–100 mg) as
indefinite therapy (Grade 1A). We recommend clopidogrel in combination with aspirin for
patients experiencing ST-segment elevation (STE) and NSTE-ACS (Grade 1A). For patients
with contraindications to aspirin, we recommend clopidogrel as monotherapy (Grade 1A). For
long-term treatment after PCI in patients who receive antithrombotic agents such as
clopidogrel or warfarin, we recommend aspirin (75 to 100 mg/d) [Grade 1B]. For patients who
undergo bare metal stent placement, we recommend the combination of aspirin and
clopidogrel for at least 4 weeks (Grade 1A). We recommend that patients receiving
drug-eluting stents (DES) receive aspirin (325 mg/d for 3 months followed by 75–100 mg/d)
and clopidogrel 75 mg/d for a minimum of 12 months (Grade 2B). For primary prevention in
patients with moderate risk for a coronary event, we recommend aspirin, 75–100 mg/d, over
either no antithrombotic therapy or vitamin K antagonist (Grade 1A).
(CHEST 2008; 133:776S–814S)
Key words: atherosclerosis; primary prevention; secondary prevention; thrombosis
Abbreviations: ACEI � angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor; ACS � acute coronary syndrome; BMS � bare
metal stent; CABG � coronary artery bypass grafting; CAD � coronary artery disease; CHD � coronary heart
disease; CHF � congestive heart failure; CI � confidence interval; DES � drug-eluting stent; IHD � ischemic
heart disease; IMA � internal mammary artery; INR� international normalized ratio; LMWH� low-molecular-weight
heparin; MI�myocardial infarction; MIDCAB�minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass; NNH� number needed
to harm; NNT � number needed to treat; NS � not significant; NSAID � nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug;
NSTE � non–ST-segment elevation; OPCAB � off-pump coronary artery bypass; OR � odds ratio;
PCI � percutaneous coronary intervention; PTCA � percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty;
QALY � quality of life year; RCT � randomized clinical trial; RR � relative risk; RRR � relative risk reduction;
SC � subcutaneous; SK � streptokinase; STE � ST-segment elevation; TE � thromboembolism; TIA � transient
ischemic attack; UFH � unfractionated heparin; VKA � vitamin K antagonist
Supplement
ANTITHROMBOTIC AND THROMBOLYTIC THERAPY 8TH ED: ACCP GUIDELINES
776S Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy 8th Ed: ACCP Guidelines
© 2008 American College of Chest Physicians
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Summary of Recommendations
1.1.1. For patients with ACS with and without
STE, we recommend aspirin initially at a dose
of 75–162 mg and then indefinitely at a dose of
75–100 mg/d (Grade 1A).
1.1.2. For patients with STE ACS, with or without
fibrinolytic therapy, we recommend clopidogrel
as a 300-mg oral loading dose for patients < 75
years of age and 75-mg starting dose for those
> 75 years of age, and continued at a daily dose of
75 mg for 2–4 weeks (Grade 1A). We suggest
continuing clopidogrel for up to 12 months fol-
lowing hospital discharge (Grade 2B).
1.1.3. For patients with NSTE ACS, we recom-
mend combination therapy with aspirin (75–100
mg/d) and clopidogrel (75 mg/d) for 12 months
(Grade 1A).
1.1.4. For patients in whom aspirin is contrain-
dicated or not tolerated, we recommend clopi-
dogrel monotherapy (75 mg/d) [Grade 1A].
1.1.5. For patients with symptomatic CAD, we
suggest aspirin (75–100 mg/d) in combination
with clopidogrel (75 mg/d) [Grade 2B].
Values and preferences: This recommendation places
a high value on the probable small reduction in
arterial vascular risk consequent on adding clopi-
dogrel to aspirin and a low value on avoiding the
additional bleeding and high cost associated with
clopidogrel.
2.1. For most patients (all except the high-risk
group described in Recommendation 2.2 be-
low) in most health-care settings, following
ACS, we recommend aspirin alone (75–100 mg
daily) over oral vitamin K antagonists (VKAs)
alone or in combination with aspirin (Grade 1B).
Values and preferences: This Recommendation places a
relatively low value on prevention of thromboembo-
lism, and a relatively high value on avoiding the incon-
venience, expense, and bleeding risk associated with
VKA therapy.
2.1.1. For most patients after MI, in health-care
settings in which meticulous international nor-
malized ratio (INR) monitoring and highly
skilled VKA dose titration are expected and
widely accessible, we suggest long-term (up to 4
years) high-intensity oral VKA (target INR, 3.5;
range, 3.0 to 4.0) without concomitant aspirin
or moderate-intensity oral VKA (target INR,
2.5; range 2.0 to 3.0) with aspirin (< 100 mg/d)
over aspirin alone (both Grade 2B).
2.2. For high-risk patients with MI, including
those with a large anterior MI, those with signif-
icant heart failure, those with intracardiac throm-
bus visible on transthoracic echocardiography,
those with atrial fibrillation and those with a
history of a thromboembolic event, we suggest
the combined use of moderate-intensity (INR, 2.0
to 3.0) oral VKA plus low-dose aspirin (< 100
mg/d) for at least 3 months after the MI (Grade 2A).
2.4. For long-term treatment of patients after per-
cutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), we recom-
mend aspirin at a dose of 75–100 mg/d (Grade 1A).
2.4.1. For patients undergoing PCI with bare metal
stent (BMS) placement, we recommend aspirin (75–
100mg/d) plus clopidogrel over aspirin alone (Grade
1A).
2.4.1.1. For patients undergoing PCI with BMS
placement following ACS, we recommend 12
months of aspirin (75–100 mg/d) plus clopidogrel
(75 mg/d) over aspirin alone (Grade 1A).
2.4.1.2. For patients undergoing PCI with a DES,
we recommend aspirin (75–100 mg/d) plus clopi-
dogrel (75mg/d for at least 12months) [Grade 1A for
3 to 4 months; Grade 1B for 4 to 12 months]. Beyond 1
year, we suggest continued treatment with aspirin
plus clopidogrel indefinitely if no bleeding or other
tolerability issues (Grade 2C).
2.4.2. For patients undergoing stent placementwith
a strong concomitant indication forVKA,we suggest
triple antithrombotic therapy (Grade 2C). We sug-
gest 4 weeks of clopidogrel following BMS and 1
year following DES (Grade 2C).
Values and preferences: This recommendation places a
high value on the prevention of thromboembolism, in-
cluding stent thrombosis, and a lower value onminimizing
bleeding risk.
For recommendations on the use of antiplatelet
agents in other patient populations with atrial fibril-
lation, see the “Antithrombotic Therapy in Atrial
Fibrillation” chapter.
*From Duke Clinical Research Institute (Dr. Becker), Duke
University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Non Comm Disease
Epidemiology (Dr. Meade), London School of Hygiene Tropical,
London, UK; Geisinger Center for Health Research (Dr.
Berger), Danville, PA; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research
(Dr. Ezekowitz), Wynnewood, PA; Duke University Medical
Center (Dr. O’Connor), Division of Cardiology, Durham, NC;
Mount Sinai Medical Center (Dr. Vorchheimer), New York, NY;
McMaster University Health Sciences Centre (Dr. Guyatt),
Hamilton, ON, Canada; Duke University Medical School (Dr.
Mark), Durham, NC; and Duke Clinical Research Institute (Dr.
Harrington), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
Manuscript accepted December 20, 2007.
Reproduction of this article is prohibited without written permission
from the American College of Chest Physicians (www.chestjournal.
org/misc/reprints.shtml).
Correspondence to: Richard C. Becker, MD, Professor of Medi-
cine, Director, Duke Cardiovascular Thrombosis Center, Duke
Clinical Research Institute, 2400 Pratt St, Durham, NC 27705;
e-mail: becke021@mc.duke.edu
DOI: 10.1378/chest.08-0685
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2.5. For patients after stent placement, we sug-
gest clopidogrel (Grade 1A) or ticlopidine (Grade
2B) over cilostazol. We recommend clopidogrel
over ticlopidine (Grade 1A).
2.5.1. For aspirin-intolerant patients undergo-
ing PCI, we recommend use of a thienopyridine
derivative rather than dipyridamole (Grade 1B).
2.6. For patients who undergo PCI with no
other indication for VKA, we recommend
against VKA (Grade 1A).
3.1. In patients with congestive heart failure
due to a nonischemic etiology, we recommend
against routine use of aspirin or oral VKA
(Grade 1B).
4.1.5. For all patients with CAD undergoing
coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), we
recommend aspirin, 75 to 100 mg/d, indefi-
nitely (Grade 1A). We suggest that the aspirin be
started postoperatively (Grade 2A).
4.1.6. For patients undergoing CABG, we rec-
ommend against addition of dipyridamole to
aspirin therapy (Grade 1A).
4.1.8. For patients with CAD undergoing CABG
who are allergic to aspirin, we recommend
clopidogrel, 300 mg, as a loading dose 6 h after
operation followed by 75 mg/d po indefinitely
(Grade 1B).
4.1.8.1. In patients who undergo CABG following
NSTE-ACS, we suggest clopidogrel, 75mg/d, for 9
to 12 months following the procedure in addition
to treatment with aspirin (Grade 2B).
4.1.8.2. For patients who have received clopi-
dogrel for ACS and are scheduled for CABG, we
suggest discontinuing clopidogrel for 5 days
prior to the scheduled surgery (Grade 2A).
4.1.10. For patients undergoing CABG who have
no other indication for VKA, we recommend cli-
nicians not administer VKAs (Grade 1C).
4.1.10.1. For patients undergoing CABG in
whom oral anticoagulants are indicated, such as
those with heart valve replacement, we suggest
clinicians administer VKA in addition to aspirin
(Grade 2C).
4.2.1. For all patients with CAD who undergo
internal mammary artery (IMA) bypass graft-
ing, we recommend aspirin, 75 to 162 mg/d,
indefinitely (Grade 1A).
4.2.2. For all patients undergoing IMA bypass
grafting who have no other indication for VKAs,
we recommend against using VKAs (Grade 1C).
5.0. For patients with at least moderate risk for
a coronary event (based on age and cardiac risk
factor profile with a 10-year risk of a cardiac
event of > 10%), we recommend 75–100 mg/d
of aspirin over either no antithrombotic ther-
apy or VKA (Grade 2A).
5.1. For patients at particularly high risk of
events in whom INR can be monitored without
difficulty, we suggest low-dose VKA with a tar-
get INR of approximately 1.5 over aspirin ther-
apy (Grade 2A).
5.3. For all patients we recommend against the
routine addition of clopidogrel to aspirin ther-
apy in primary prevention (Grade 1A). For pa-
tients with an aspirin allergy who are at moder-
ate to high risk for a cardiovascular event, we
recommend monotherapy with clopidogrel
(Grade 1B).
5.4. For women < 65 years of age who are at
risk for an ischemic stroke, and in whom the
concomitant risk of major bleeding is low, we
suggest aspirin at a dose of 75–100 mg/d over
no aspirin therapy (Grade 2A).
5.4.1. For women > 65 years of age at risk for
ischemic stroke or MI, and in whom the con-
comitant risk of major bleeding is low, we
suggest asprin at a dose of 75–100 mg/d over
no aspirin therapy (Grade 2B).
Values and preferences: The recommendation of
aspirin over VKA places a relatively low value on a
small absolute reduction in coronary events and
deaths and a relatively high value on avoiding the
inconvenience, cost, and minor bleeding risk associated
with oral VKA. The low target INR value required in
primary prevention typically mandates less frequent
monitoring; on average every 2 to 3 months and is
associated with lower risk of bleeding.
Patients, particularly those in the highest risk
groups for whom systems permitting meticulous
monitoring of anticoagulant therapy are available,
who place a relatively high value on small absolute
risk reductions in coronary events and are not influ-
enced by an element of inconvenience and potential
bleeding risk associated with VKA are likely to derive
the greatest overall benefit from administration of
VKA rather than aspirin.
A ntithrombotic therapy is a mainstay in themanagement of patients with either acute or
chronic coronary artery disease (CAD). The fol-
lowing chapter is devoted to the subject of chronic
CAD and antithrombotic strategies designed for
primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascu-
lar events.
The ACC/AHA Guidelines for the Management of
Patients With Unstable Angina and Non-ST Seg-
ment Elevation Myocardial Infarction reflect a
management-oriented nomenclature.1 Patients with
acute myocardial ischemia identified as having an
acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are further differ-
entiated into ACS with or without ST-segment ele-
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vation (STE). The early treatment decisions are
influenced by this distinction. This initial distinction
has little influence on secondary prevention treat-
ment strategy; therefore, the recommendations for
long-term antithrombotic therapy following ACS are
considered together.
This chapter considers the treatment of the fol-
lowing patient groups: (1) post-STE ACS; (2) post-
non-STE (NSTE) ACS; (3) after percutaneous cor-
onary intervention (PCI); (4) stable CAD; (5)
congestive heart failure (CHF); (6) after coronary
artery bypass grafting (CABG): and (7) coronary
heart disease (CHD) risk factors. Table 1 describes
both the question definition and eligibility criteria
for studies considered in each section of the anti-
thrombotic therapy recommendations that follow.
1.0 Post-STE and NSTS ACS Treatment
The following discussion and recommendations
for post-STE and NSTE ACS management desig-
nate hospital discharge as an initiating point for the
transition from short-term care to long-term care and
the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.
1.1 Antiplatelet Therapies
1.1.1 Short-term Antiplatelet Therapy Trials
ISIS-22 was a randomized, placebo-controlled,
blinded trial of short-term therapy with IV streptoki-
nase (SK), oral aspirin [160 mg/d for 1 month], both
or neither among 17,187 patients with suspected
myocardial infarction (MI). In addition to a 23%
relative risk reduction (RRR) in 5-week vascular
Table 1—Question Definition and Eligibility Criteria for Antithrombotic Agents in CAD (Section: Introduction)
Section Population
Intervention(s) or
Exposure Outcome Methodology
1.1.1 STE and NSTE ACS Aspirin Mortality RCTs
MI
Stroke
Bleeding
1.1.2 NSTE ACS Thienopyridines Composite: death, MI, stroke RCTs
Ischemia
Bleeding
1.2.1 NSTE ACS UFH Composite: death, MI RCTs
Ischemia
Bleeding
1.2.2 NSTE ACS LMWHs Composite: death, MI RCTs
Ischemia
Bleeding
1.2.3 NSTE ACS Antithrombin therapy,
indirect, selective factor
Xa inhibitors
Composite: death, MI
Ischemia
Bleeding
RCTs and observational
studies
2.1 After MI and after ACS
(secondary
prevention)
Oral VKA Composite: death, MI, stroke
Bleeding
RCTs
2.2 After MI and after ACS
(secondary
prevention)
Aspirin combined with
oral VKA
Composite: death, MI, stroke
Angiographic outcomes
Bleeding
RCTs
2.3 After MI and after ACS
(secondary
prevention)
HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitors
Composite: death, MI, stroke
Angiographic outcomes
Bleeding
RCTs
2.54 PCI Oral antiplatelet therapies
(aspirin and
thienopyridines)
Mortality RCTs
After MI and after ACS
(secondary
prevention)
MI
Stent thrombosis
Observational studies
3.1 CHF Oral antiplatelet therapies
with and without
ACEIs and oral VKAs
Composite: death, MI, stroke
Bleeding
RCTs and observational
studies
4.1 CABG Oral antiplatelet therapies
and oral VKA
Graft patency RCTs and observational
studies
5.1 Primary prevention Oral antiplatelet and
anticoagulant therapy
Mortality
MI
Stroke
Bleeding
RCTs
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mortality among patients receiving SK, there was a
21% reduction among those receiving aspirin and a
40% reduction among those receiving a combination
of SK and aspirin, which are all highly significant
reductions. The early reduction in mortality with
aspirin persisted when the patients were observed
for a mean of 15 months. Aspirin reduced the risk of
nonfatal reinfarction by 49% and nonfatal stroke by
46%. The increased rate of early nonfatal reinfarc-
tion noted when SK therapy was used alone is
consistent with marked platelet activation after fi-
brinolytic therapy and was completely resolved when
aspirin was added (3.8% vs 1.3%; p� 0.001).
Aspirin added to the benefit of SK therapy in all
groups examined. In particular, among patients� 70
years of age, the combination markedly reduced
mortality from 23.8 to 15.8% (p� 0.001) without
increasing hemorrhage or stroke. Because of the
overall poor prognosis among older individuals
with acute MI, the absolute number of lives saved
with aspirin and thrombolytic therapy increases with
age (ie, 2.5 per 100 treated patients � 60 years of
age and 7 to 8 per 100 treated patients � 60 years
of age).
ISIS-2 showed that short-term aspirin therapy for
MI decreases mortality and reinfa