Ticagrelor or Prasugrel in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome and High Bleeding Risk

Shqipdona Lahu1,2, Antonia Presch1, Gjin Ndrepepa1

  • 1Klinik für Herz- und Kreislauferkrankungen, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technische Universität München, Germany (S.L., A.P., G.N., M.J., E.X., S.K., N.R., H.B.S., K.M., T.K., H.S., A.K., S.C.).

Insights

Ticagrelor and prasugrel showed similar efficacy and safety in acute coronary syndrome patients with high bleeding risk undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. High bleeding risk increased both ischemic and bleeding events but did not alter the relative treatment effects.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) often have high bleeding risk (HBR).
  • The comparative effectiveness and safety of potent P2Y12 inhibitors, ticagrelor and prasugrel, in this HBR population remain incompletely understood.
  • This study addresses the uncertainty surrounding optimal antiplatelet therapy for ACS patients with HBR undergoing PCI.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of ticagrelor versus prasugrel in patients with ACS and HBR undergoing PCI.
  • To assess the impact of HBR status on treatment outcomes in patients receiving ticagrelor or prasugrel.
  • To determine if HBR modifies the comparative effectiveness and safety of these P2Y12 inhibitors.

Main Methods:

  • A post hoc analysis of the ISAR-REACT 5 trial (NCT01944800) involving ACS patients randomized to ticagrelor or prasugrel.
  • HBR was defined using Academic Research Consortium (ARC) criteria.
  • Primary endpoint: composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Secondary endpoint: Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 3-5 bleeding, assessed at 12 months.

Main Results:

  • Out of 3239 patients, 486 met ARC-HBR criteria. HBR patients had significantly higher risks for both primary (HR=3.57) and secondary (HR=2.94) endpoints compared to non-HBR patients.
  • In the HBR group, no significant differences in primary (HR=1.09) or secondary (HR=1.18) endpoints were observed between ticagrelor and prasugrel.
  • In the non-HBR group, ticagrelor was associated with a higher risk of the primary endpoint (HR=1.62) versus prasugrel, with similar safety.

Conclusions:

  • High bleeding risk in ACS patients undergoing PCI increases both ischemic and bleeding event risks.
  • Ticagrelor and prasugrel demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety profiles in the HBR subgroup.
  • The findings suggest that HBR status does not significantly alter the relative treatment effects of ticagrelor and prasugrel, though larger cohort confirmation is warranted.
Abstract

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