Perioperative Antiplatelet Therapy for the Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization: Results of the Questionnaire Survey.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the status of perioperative antiplatelet therapy in stent-assisted coil embolization (SAC) in Japan.

Methods: The questionnaire consisted of 13 questions and used Google forms, and was sent to institutions where endovascular specialists were employed. The results were analyzed.

Results: The responses from 307 centers indicated that the timing of initiation of antiplatelet therapy was 14 days-1 month before treatment in half of centers, and 7-14 days before treatment in the other half. Platelet function tests were performed at 165 centers (56.2%), of which 136 centers (46.3%) performed these tests for all patients, with the VerifyNow system being the most widely used tool. The duration of postoperative dual antiplatelet therapy was 6, 3, and 12 months in 169 (57.7%), 70 (23.5%), and 42 (14.3%) centers, respectively. The antiplatelet agents used for monotherapy were P2Y12 receptor antagonists or aspirin, with a postoperative period of up to 12 months in 139 centers (47.3%), 24 months in 68 centers (23.1%), and longer than 24 months in 50 centers (17%).

Conclusion: Current antiplatelet therapy for SAC in Japan varies widely among institutions. Moreover, each center has its own empirical rules for SAC. Therefore, the findings of this survey suggest the need to establish guidelines for optimal periprocedural antiplatelet therapy for SAC.