Clinical Trials Study Best Way to Prevent Re-blockage for Patients with Heart Stents

Elmhurst Memorial Hospital recently enrolled its 100th patient in the DAPT Study, a worldwide clinical trial that is collecting information about how dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and a second anti­-clotting medicine taken in pill form) protects patients from stent-related blood clots and other major adverse cardiovascular events following the implantation of drug-eluting coronary stents.

Each year, more than 2 million people worldwide receive stents to open up blockages in arteries of the heart. In recent years, drug­-eluting stents have grown in popularity because of their effectiveness in helping to prevent the need for more invasive procedures, such as coronary artery bypass surgery.

Coated with medication that is slowly released to prevent scar tissue from forming, drug­-eluting stents are often better than their bare metal counterparts at preventing re­-blockage. The key to their effectiveness is taking medication following the procedure; however, there is currently no scientific data behind how long that medication needs to be taken.

Current guidelines recommend patients take dual antiplatelet therapy for at least one year to prevent blood clots from forming. The DAPT Study is investigating the benefits of 12 versus 30 months of dual antiplatelet therapy. The outcome will help to bring clarity to the global medical community regarding how long patients should be treated after receiving a drug-eluting stent.

“There are thousands of patients in our practice and millions worldwide that may be on drugs they don’t need with exposure to unnecessary risk and cost,” said Dr. Larry Barr, a cardiologist with Midwest Heart Specialists and member of the EMH Medical Staff. “Likewise, there may be many patients who are not on agents that could be life­saving for them. With this study, we hopefully will be able to more clearly and appropriately treat these patients.”

For his efforts associated with the DAPT Study, Barr was named the study’s Investigator of the Month for January 2011. His participation in the trial was made possible through the Midwest Heart Foundation, which was established in 1988 by the physicians of Midwest Heart Specialists to provide research in a community setting and to contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge. Midwest Heart Specialists has conducted more than 260 clinical trials since its inception and educates more than 3,200 physicians and allied health care providers and 2,500 community members each year.