Which statement accurately reflects the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after stent placement?

• A. One year
• B. Six months
• C. Three months
• D. Two years

Answer: (A)

Dual antiplatelet therapy after stent placement is aimed at preventing stent thrombosis during the healing period when the stent surface is still prone to clot formation. For drug-eluting stents, the standard teaching is about 12 months of therapy (aspirin plus a P2Y12 inhibitor) in many patients, assuming the bleeding risk is not high. This duration balances reducing thrombotic risk with tolerating bleeding risk. Shorter durations like three or six months would leave patients more vulnerable to stent thrombosis, while a much longer period, such as two years, increases bleeding risk without clear added benefit for most patients. The one-year duration is the best answer in this context, reflecting the traditional target for DAPT after a stent.