Antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications are the cornerstone of therapy for patients with acute coronary syndrome and have also been shown to reduce recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary disease. Whereas antiplatelet medications have been the preferred therapy for long-term secondary prevention, the development of novel oral anticoagulants has renewed interest in the use of anticoagulation to prevent atherosclerotic events. In patients with atrial fibrillation or other indications for anticoagulation, recent clinical trials have shown the benefit of double therapy with full-dose novel oral anticoagulants and P2Y12 inhibitors compared with regimens with vitamin K antagonists. In patients without an indication for anticoagulation, the use of low doses of the factor Xa inhibitor, rivaroxaban, has shown benefit. Clinicians have many pharmacological options when treating patients following percutaneous coronary intervention. This review discusses the evidence for the use of novel oral anticoagulants, with an emphasis on patient selection, choice of therapy, and appropriate dosing of anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents, in secondary prevention strategies for atherosclerosis following coronary revascularization for patients with and without a traditional indication for anticoagulation.
Keywords: antagonist; anticoagulant; atrial fibrillation; humans; patient selection; percutaneous coronary intervention; vitamin K.