The long-term increased cardiovascular risk of patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a challenging and common clinical problem. Recent evidence demonstrated an ischemic benefit for a prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy beyond the initial 12 months at the cost of an increased bleeding risk. Individual, careful and repeated risk-benefit analyses are essential for an optimized patient management in which cardiovascular rehabilitation providers may play a central role.
Keywords: acute coronary syndrome; dual antiplatelet therapy; long-term; prolonged; myocardial infarction; rehabilitation program; secondary prevention.