A call for action in bleeding prevention

Preventing ischemic complications while limiting bleeding risk is the cornerstone when treating patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Questions still persist regarding the best strategies for minimizing the risk of bleeding events when considering their actual negative impact on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality [1]. As is often the case, these questions become even more challenging in the frail and elderly population. During the last decade, there have been heated debates over the preferred arterial access (radial versus femoral), and antithrombotic regimen (bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin) which are the major factors blamed as being responsible for bleeding complications