Previous studies have indicated that low-dose new generation of P2Y12 receptor antagonists may be more suitable compared with clopidogrel at a standard dose for the dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for East Asian patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, there remains no consensus in clinical practice. Thus, in this study, we aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of low-dose P2Y12 receptor antagonists, compared to clopidogrel at a standard dose, in DAPT in East Asian patients after PCI. We systematically searched literatures for randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing low-dose P2Y12 receptor antagonists with standard-dose clopidogrel for the treatment of East Asian patients undergoing PCI. The endpoints of efficacy include major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), all-cause mortality, and the number of target vessel revascularization. The indicators of safety include major and minor bleeding events. Heterogeneity was evaluated by I2 statistic test. Begg's and Egger's tests were used to evaluate publication bias. In total, 2,747 subjects from 8 RCT studies were included. Low-dose new P2Y12 receptor antagonists, that is, ticagrelor or prasugrel, showed significantly lower incidence of MACEs, as compared with standard-dose clopidogrel, in the East Asian patients who are in DAPT after undergoing PCI. Further, no difference was noted for the risk of major and minor bleeding events. In East Asian patients undergoing PCI and receiving DAPT, the use of low-dose P2Y12 receptor antagonists, ticagrelor or prasugrel, has been determined to be superior than clopidogrel at standard dose; this has been evidenced by a lower incidence of MACEs without increasing the risk of bleeding.
Keywords: Dual antiplatelet therapy; Major adverse cardiac events; Percutaneous coronary intervention.