Long-term ticagrelor monotherapy versus standard dual antiplatelet therapy followed by aspirin monotherapy in patients undergoing biolimus-eluting stent implantation: rationale and design of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial

Impact of proton pump inhibitors on efficacy of antiplatelet strategies with ticagrelor or aspirin after percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from the GLOBAL LEADERS trial

BACKGROUND

Several studies have suggested that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may reduce the antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel and/or aspirin, possibly leading to cardiovascular events.

AIMS

We aimed to investigate the association between PPI and clinical outcomes in patients treated with ticagrelor monotherapy or conventional antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

This is a subanalysis of the randomized GLOBAL LEADERS trial, comparing the experimental antiplatelet arm (23-month ticagrelor monotherapy following 1-month dual antiplatelet therapy [DAPT]) with the reference arm (12-month aspirin monotherapy following 12-month DAPT) after PCI. Patient-oriented composite endpoints (POCEs: all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, or repeat revascularization) and its components were assessed stratified by PPI use as a time-dependent covariate in patients with the experiment or reference antiplatelet arm.

RESULTS

Among 15,839 patients, 2115 patients (13.5%) experienced POCE at 2 years. In the reference arm, the use of PPIs was independently associated with POCE (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.44) and its individual components, whereas it was not in the experimental arm (HR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.92-1.19; pinteraction  = 0.035). During the second-year follow-up, patients taking aspirin with PPIs had a significantly higher risk of POCE compared to those on aspirin without PPIs (HR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.27-1.94), whereas the risk did not differ significantly irrespective of PPI in ticagrelor monotherapy group (HR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.83-1.28; pinteraction  = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to conventional antiplatelet strategy, there were no evidence suggesting the interaction between ticagrelor monotherapy and PPIs on increased cardiovascular events, which should be confirmed in further studies.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov.

Ticagrelor Monotherapy or Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation: Per-Protocol Analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS Trial

Background

In the GLOBAL LEADERS trial, ticagrelor monotherapy beyond 1 month compared with standard antiplatelet regimens after coronary stent implantation did not improve outcomes at intention‐to‐treat analysis. Considerable differences in treatment adherence between the experimental and control groups may have affected the intention‐to‐treat results. In this reanalysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial, we compared the experimental and control treatment strategies in a per‐protocol analysis of patients who did not deviate from the study protocol.

Methods and Results

Baseline and postrandomization information were used to classify whether and when patients were deviating from the study protocol. With logistic regressions, we derived time‐varying inverse probabilities of nondeviation from protocol to reconstruct the trial population without protocol deviation. The primary end point was a composite of all‐cause mortality or nonfatal Q‐wave myocardial infarction at 2 years. At 2‐year follow‐up, 1103 (13.8%) of 7980 patients in the experimental group and 785 (9.8%) of 7988 patients in the control group qualified as protocol deviators. At per‐protocol analysis, the rate ratio for the primary end point was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.75–1.03; P=0.10) on the basis of 274 versus 325 events in the experimental versus control group. The rate ratio for the key safety end point of major bleeding was 1.00 (95% CI, 0.79–1.26; P=0.99). The per‐protocol and intention‐to‐treat effect estimates were overall consistent.

Conclusions

Among patients who complied with the study protocol in the GLOBAL LEADERS trial, ticagrelor plus aspirin for 1 month followed by ticagrelor monotherapy was not superior to 1‐year standard dual antiplatelet therapy followed by aspirin alone at 2 years after coronary stenting.

Registration

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01813435.

2021 Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology Consensus Recommendations on the Use of P2Y12 Receptor Antagonists in the Asia-Pacific Region: Special Populations

Advanced age, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease not only increase the risk for ischaemic events in chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) but also confer a high bleeding risk during antiplatelet therapy. These special populations may warrant modification of therapy, especially among Asians, who have displayed characteristics that are clinically distinct from Western patients. Previous guidance has been provided regarding the classification of high-risk CCS and the use of newer-generation P2Y₁₂ inhibitors (i.e. ticagrelor and prasugrel) after acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in Asia. The authors summarise evidence on the use of these P2Y₁₂ inhibitors during the transition from ACS to CCS and among special populations. Specifically, they present recommendations on the roles of standard dual antiplatelet therapy, shortened dual antiplatelet therapy and single antiplatelet therapy among patients with coronary artery disease, who are either transitioning from ACS to CCS; elderly; or with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, multivessel coronary artery disease and bleeding events during therapy.

Efficacy and Safety of Ticagrelor Monotherapy by Clinical Presentation: Pre-Specified Analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS Trial

Background

The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary drug‐eluting stent placement in adults with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) versus acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remains uncertain.

Methods and Results

This was a prespecified subgroup analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to the experimental or reference strategy, stratified by ACS (experimental, n=3750; reference, n=3737) versus SCAD (experimental, n=4230; reference, n=4251). The experimental strategy was 75 to 100 mg aspirin daily plus 90 mg ticagrelor twice daily for 1 month, followed by 23 months of ticagrelor monotherapy. The reference strategy was 75 to 100 mg aspirin daily plus either 75 mg clopidogrel daily (for SCAD) or 90 mg ticagrelor twice daily (for ACS) for 12 months, followed by aspirin monotherapy for 12 months. The primary end point at 2 years was a composite of all‐cause mortality or non‐fatal centrally adjudicated new Q‐wave myocardial infarction. The key secondary safety end point was site‐reported Bleeding Academic Research Consortium grade 3 or 5 bleeding. The primary end point occurred in 147 (3.92%) versus 169 (4.52%) patients with ACS (rate ratio [RR], 0.86; 95% CI, 0.69–1.08; P=0.189), and in 157 (3.71%) versus 180 (4.23%) patients with SCAD (RR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.71–1.08; P=0.221) with experimental and reference strategy, respectively (P‐interaction=0.926). Bleeding Academic Research Consortium grade 3 or 5 bleeding occurred in 73 (1.95%) versus 100 (2.68%) patients with ACS (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.54–0.98; P=0.037), and in 90 (2.13%) versus 69 (1.62%) patients with SCAD (RR, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.97–1.81; P=0.081; P‐interaction=0.007).

Conclusions

While there was no evidence for differences in efficacy between treatment strategies by subgroup, the experimental strategy appeared to reduce bleeding risk in patients with ACS but not in patients with SCAD.

Registration

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01813435.

'Ticagrelor alone vs. dual antiplatelet therapy from 1 month after drug-eluting coronary stenting among patients with STEMI': a post hoc analysis of the randomized GLOBAL LEADERS trial

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor monotherapy beyond 1 month and up to 24 months vs. standard 12-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and ticagrelor followed by aspirin monotherapy among ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the GLOBAL LEADERS trial.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We performed a post hoc analysis of STEMI patients in the GLOBAL LEADERS trial comparing experimental ticagrelor monotherapy (1062 patients) with standard 12-month DAPT (1030 patients). We evaluated predefined primary and secondary endpoints in both treatment arms. Rates of net adverse clinical events (NACE), patient-oriented composite endpoints (POCE), and bleeding academic research consortium (BARC)-defined bleeding Type 3 or 5 were also evaluated. At 2 years, there were no significant differences in rates of primary endpoints in patients who had STEMI [0.89 (0.61-1.31)]. There were similar rates of NACE and POCE in both experimental and reference treatment groups at 2 years post-PCI [hazard ratio (HR) 0.96 (0.77-1.20) and 0.96 (0.77-1.21), respectively]. BARC 3 or 5 bleeding events were numerically less in experimental compared to reference treatment groups at 1 year [HR 0.55 (0.27-1.13)] and 2 years [0.61 (0.32-1.16)].

CONCLUSION

Presentation with STEMI has not influenced the incidence of GLOBAL LEADERS defined primary endpoints. There were no significant differences in rates of NACE, POCE, and BARC bleeding between the two treatment groups up to 2 years of follow-up. Although these findings should be viewed as exploratory, they expand the evidence on potential safety of aspirin-free antiplatelet strategies after PCI in STEMI.

External validation of the GRACE risk score 2.0 in the contemporary all-comers GLOBAL LEADERS trial

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the predictive ability of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score 2.0 in contemporary acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, and its relation to antiplatelet strategies.

BACKGROUND

The predictive value of the GRACE risk score in the contemporary ACS cohort and the appropriate antiplatelet regimen according to the risk remain unclear.

METHODS

This is a subgroup analysis of the all-comers, randomized GLOBAL LEADERS trial, comparing ticagrelor monotherapy versus conventional dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The GRACE risk score 2.0 with 1-year mortality prediction was implemented. The randomized antiplatelet effect was assessed in predefined three GRACE risk-groups; low-risk (GRACE <109), moderate-risk (GRACE 109-140), and high-risk (GRACE >140).

RESULTS

The GRACE risk score was available in 6,594 out of 7,487 ACS patients among whom 1,743, 2,823, and 2,028 patients were classified as low-risk, moderate-risk, and high-risk, respectively. At 1 year, all-cause mortality occurred in 120 patients (1.8%). The discrimination ability of the GRACE model was moderate (C-statistic = 0.742), whereas 1-year mortality risk was overestimated (mean predicted mortality rate: 3.9%; the Hosmer-Lemeshow chi-square: 21.47; p = 0.006). There were no significant interactions between the GRACE risk strata and effects of the ticagrelor monotherapy on ischemic or bleeding outcomes at 1 year compared to the reference strategy.

CONCLUSION

The GRACE risk score 2.0 is valuable in discriminating high risk ACS patients, however, the recalibration of the score is recommended for better risk stratification. There is no significant differences in efficacy and safety of ticagrelor monotherapy across the three GRACE risk strata.

Aspirin-free antiplatelet regimens after PCI: insights from the GLOBAL LEADERS trial and beyond

Historically, aspirin has been the primary treatment for the prevention of ischaemic events in patients with coronary artery disease. For patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) standard treatment has been 12 months of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel, followed by aspirin monotherapy; however, DAPT is undeniably associated with an increased risk of bleeding. For over a decade novel P2Y₁₂ inhibitors, which have increased specificity, potency, and efficacy have been available, prompting studies which have tested whether these newer agents can be used in aspirin-free antiplatelet regimens to augment clinical benefits in patients post-PCI. Among these studies, the GLOBAL LEADERS trial is the largest by cohort size, and so far has provided a wealth of evidence in a variety of clinical settings and patient groups. This article summarizes the state-of-the-art evidence obtained from the GLOBAL LEADERS and other trials of aspirin-free strategies.

Comparison of Investigator-Reported and Clinical Event Committee-Adjudicated Outcome Events in GLASSY

BACKGROUND

Event adjudication by a clinical event committee (CEC) provides a standardized, independent outcome assessment. However, the added value of CEC to investigators reporting remains debated. GLASSY (GLOBAL LEADERS Adjudication Sub-Study) implemented, in a subset of the open-label, investigator-reported (IR) GLOBAL LEADERS trial, an independent adjudication process of reported and unreported potential outcome events (triggers). We describe metrics of GLASSY feasibility and efficiency, diagnostic accuracy of IR events, and their concordance with corresponding CEC-adjudicated events.

METHODS

We report the proportion of myocardial infarction, bleeding, stroke, and stent thrombosis triggers with sufficient evidence for assessment (feasibility) that were adjudicated as outcome events (efficiency), stratified by source (IR or non-IR). Using CEC-adjudicated events as criterion standard, we describe sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and global diagnostic accuracy of IR events. Using Gwet AC coefficient, we examine the concordance between IR- and corresponding CEC-adjudicated triggers. There was sufficient evidence for assessment for 2592 (98.3%) of 2636 triggers.

RESULTS

Overall, the adjudicated end point-to-trigger ratio was high and similar between IR- (88%) and non-IR-reported (87%) triggers. The global diagnostic accuracy and concordance between IR-reported and CEC-adjudicated outcome events was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.65-0.74) and 0.54 (95% CI, 0.45-0.62), respectively, for myocardial infarction; 0.77 (95% CI, 0.75-0.79) and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.68-0.74) for bleeding; 0.70 (95% CI, 0.62-0.79) and 0.59 (95% CI, 0.43-0.74) for stroke; 0.59 (95% CI, 0.52-0.66) and 0.39 (95% CI, 0.25-0.53) for stent thrombosis. For IR bleedings, the concordance with the CEC on type of events was generally weak.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing CEC adjudication in a pragmatic open-label trial with IR events is feasible and efficient. Our findings of modest global diagnostic accuracy for IR events and generally weak concordance between investigators and CEC support the role for CEC adjudication in such settings. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03231059.

Safety and Efficacy of 1-Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (Ticagrelor + Aspirin) Followed by 23-Month Ticagrelor Monotherapy in Patients Undergoing Staged Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (A Sub-Study from GLOBAL LEADERS)

Patients undergoing staged percutaneous coronary intervention (SPCI) are exposed to extended duration of antiplatelet therapy, and a novel aspirin-free antiplatelet regimen after SPCI should be specifically evaluated among these patients. This is a prespecified substudy of the GLOBAL LEADERS which is a randomized, open-label trial, comparing an experimental regimen of 1-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT; ticagrelor and aspirin) followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy to a reference regimen of 12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy. Patients were stratified according to whether or not SPCI was performed. The impact of the timing of SPCI on clinical outcomes was also investigated. Of 15,968 randomized patients, 1,651 patients underwent SPCI within 3 months. These patients with SPCI had a significantly higher risk of bleeding and ischemic endpoints than those without SPCI. In patients undergoing SPCI, the primary endpoint (composite of all-cause death or new Q-wave myocardial infarction at 2 years) and secondary safety endpoint (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC]-defined bleeding 3 or 5) were similar in the 2 regimens. However, in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the experimental regimen reduced a risk of BARC 3 or 5 bleeding (1.8% vs 4.5%; HR 0.387; 95% CI 0.179 to 0.836; p = 0.016). In patients undergoing SPCI later than 10 days after index procedure, this risk reduction was still prominent (0.8% vs 2.3%; HR 0.321; 95% CI 0.116 to 0.891; p = 0.029). In conclusion, patients undergoing SPCI are at high risk and may need special attention from clinicians. In ACS patients undergoing SPCI, a novel aspirin-free antiplatelet regimen appears to be associated with a lower bleeding risk than with standard DAPT.

Ticagrelor monotherapy in patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease: a post hoc analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial

Background

Patients with both diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are a subpopulation characterized by ultrahigh ischemic and bleeding risk after percutaneous coronary intervention. There are limited data on the impact of ticagrelor monotherapy among these patients.

Methods

In this post hoc analysis of the GLOBAL-LEADERS trial, the treatment effects of the experimental (one-month dual-antiplatelet therapy [DAPT] followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy) versus the reference regimen (12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin alone) were analyzed according to DM/CKD status. The primary endpoint was a composite endpoint of all-cause death or new Q-wave myocardial infarction at 2-years. The patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE) was defined as the composite of all-cause death, any stroke, site-reported MI and any revascularization, whereas net adverse clinical events (NACE) combined POCE with BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding events.

Results

At 2 years, the DM + /CKD + patients had significantly higher incidences of the primary endpoint (9.5% versus 3.1%, adjusted HR 2.16; 95% CI [1.66–2.80], p < 0.001), BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding events, stroke, site-reported myocardial infraction, all revascularization, POCE, and NACE, compared with the DM-/CKD- patients. Among the DM + /CKD + patients, after adjustment, there were no significant differences in the primary endpoints between the experimental and reference regimen; however, the experimental regimen was associated with lower rates of POCE (20.6% versus 25.9%, HR 0.74; 95% CI [0.55–0.99], p = 0.043, p_interaction = 0.155) and NACE (22.7% versus 28.3%, HR 0.75; 95% CI [0.56–0.99], p = 0.044, p_interaction = 0.310), which was mainly driven by a lower rate of all revascularization, as compared with the reference regimen. The landmark analysis showed that while the experimental and reference regimen had similar rates of all the clinical endpoints during the first year, the experimental regimen was associated with significantly lower rates of POCE (5.8% versus 11.0%, HR 0.49; 95% CI [0.29–0.82], p = 0.007, p_interaction = 0.040) and NACE (5.8% versus 11.2%, HR 0.48; 95% CI [0.29–0.82], p = 0.007, p_interaction = 0.013) in the second year.

Conclusion

Among patients with both DM and CKD, ticagrelor monotherapy was not associated with lower rates of all-cause death or new Q-wave, or major bleeding complications; however, it was associated with lower rates of POCE and NACE. These findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01813435).

Regional variation in patients and outcomes in the GLOBAL LEADERS trial

BACKGROUND

Despite the overall neutral results of the GLOBAL-LEADERS trial, results from a prespecified subgroup analysis showed that patients from Western Europe had a significantly lower rate of the primary endpoint when treated with ticagrelor monotherapy. Therefore, we aimed to examine the regional disparities in patients' baseline characteristics and their response to ticagrelor monotherapy.

METHODS

Patients' baseline characteristics and the treatment effects of ticagrelor combined with aspirin for 1 month, followed by ticagrelor monotherapy for 23-months versus 12-months of standard dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) were compared according to participating countries. The primary endpoint was a composite endpoint of all-cause death or new Q-wave myocardial infarction at two years.

RESULTS

Significant variances in patients' baseline characteristics were found between participating countries. The primary endpoint varied significantly according to the country (P_interaction = 0.027). Patients from France (1.6% versus 5.2%, HR: 0.31, 95%CI: 0.13-0.73) and The Netherlands (2.4% versus 4.8%, HR, 0.50, 95%CI: 0.26-0.94) had lower rates of the primary endpoint when allocated to ticagrelor monotherapy, compared with the standard DAPT regimen. Of the 26 baseline and post-randomization factors explored, variance in the rate of complex PCI between countries was identified as the top contributor to this regional interaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients' baseline characteristics varied between participating countries in the GLOBAL-LEADERS trial. There is a significant regional variance in the treatment effect of ticagrelor monotherapy, which could partly be explained by the differences in complex PCI being performed.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01813435).

Efficacy and safety of one-month DAPT followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy in patients undergoing proximal LAD stenting: Insights from the GLOBAL LEADERS trial

BACKGROUNDS

Data on optimal antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing stenting of the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) are limited.

METHODS

This is a post-hoc analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial, a prospective, multi-center, randomized controlled trial, comparing the experimental strategy (1-month dual anti-platelet therapy [DAPT] followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy) with the reference regimen (12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy) in relation to stenting of the proximal LAD. The primary endpoint was the composite of all-cause death or new Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) and key secondary safety endpoint was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 3 or 5 bleeding at two years.

RESULTS

Among 15,845 patients included in the analysis, 3823 (23.9%) patients underwent stenting of the proximal LAD, while 12,022 (75.2%) did not. In the proximal LAD stenting group, there was no significant difference in the risk of the primary endpoint between the two antiplatelet strategies (3.38% vs. 3.93%; hazard ratio [HR]:0.86; 95% CI:0.62-1.20; P_interaction = 0.951). However, the risk of any MI (2.63% vs. 3.88%; HR:0.68; 95% CI:0.47-0.97; P_interaction = 0.015) and any revascularization (7.84% vs. 9.94%; HR:0.78; 95% CI:0.63-0.97; P_interaction = 0.058) was significantly lower in the experimental strategy group, while demonstrating a similar risk of BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding between the two antiplatelet strategies (1.93% vs. 1.99%; HR:0.98; 95% CI:0.62-1.54; P_interaction = 0.981).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed patients having stenting to the proximal LAD could potentially benefit from the experimental strategy with lower ischaemic events without a trade-off in major bleeding at two years.

Comparative Methodological Assessment of the Randomized GLOBAL LEADERS Trial Using Total Ischemic and Bleeding Events

BACKGROUND

Time-to-first-event analysis considers only the first event irrespective of its severity. There are several methods to assess trial outcomes beyond time-to-first-event analysis, such as analyzing total events and ranking outcomes. In the GLOBAL LEADERS study, time-to-first-event analysis did not show superiority of ticagrelor monotherapy following one-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention to conventional 12-month DAPT followed by aspirin monotherapy in the reduction of the primary composite end point of all-cause mortality or new Q-wave myocardial infarction. This study sought to explore various analytical approaches in assessing total ischemic and bleeding events after percutaneous coronary intervention in the GLOBAL LEADERS study.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Total ischemic and bleeding events were defined as all-cause mortality, any stroke, any myocardial infarction, any revascularization, or Bleeding Academic Research Consortium grade 2 or 3 bleeding. We used various analytical approaches to analyze the benefit of ticagrelor monotherapy over conventional DAPT. For ischemic and bleeding events at 2 years after percutaneous coronary intervention, ticagrelor monotherapy demonstrated a 6% risk reduction, compared with conventional 12-month DAPT in time-to-first-event analysis (hazard ratio, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.88-1.01]; log-rank P=0.10). In win ratio analysis, win ratio was 1.05 (95% CI, 0.97-1.13; P=0.20). Negative binomial regression and Andersen-Gill analyses which include repeated events showed statistically significant advantage for ticagrelor monotherapy (rate ratio, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.85-0.99; P=0.020] and hazard ratio, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.85-0.99; P=0.028], respectively), although in weighted composite end point analysis, the hazard ratio was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.84-1.04; log-rank P=0.22).

CONCLUSIONS

Statistical analyses considering repeated events or event severity showed that ticagrelor monotherapy consistently reduced ischemic and bleeding events by 5% to 8%, compared with conventional 1-year DAPT. Applying multiple statistical methods could emphasize the multiple facets of a trial and result in accurate and more appropriate analyses. Considering the recurrence of ischemic and bleeding events, ticagrelor monotherapy appeared to be beneficial after percutaneous coronary intervention. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01813435.

Benefit and Risks of Aspirin in Addition to Ticagrelor in Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Post Hoc Analysis of the Randomized GLOBAL LEADERS Trial

Importance

The role of aspirin as part of antiplatelet regimens in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) needs to be clarified in the context of newer potent P2Y12 antagonists.

Objective

To evaluate the benefit and risks of aspirin in addition to ticagrelor among patients with ACS beyond 1 month after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This is a nonprespecified, post hoc analysis of GLOBAL LEADERS, a randomized, open-label superiority trial comparing 2 antiplatelet treatment strategies after PCI. The trial included 130 secondary/tertiary care hospitals in different countries, with 15 991 unselected patients with stable coronary artery disease or ACS undergoing PCI. Patients had outpatient visits at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after index procedure.

Interventions

The experimental group received aspirin plus ticagrelor for 1 month followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy; the reference group received aspirin plus either clopidogrel (stable coronary artery disease) or ticagrelor (ACS) for 12 months, followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy. In this analysis, we examined the clinical outcomes occurring between 31 days and 365 days after randomization, specifically in patients with ACS who, within this time frame, were assigned to receive either ticagrelor alone or ticagrelor and aspirin.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the composite of all-cause death or new Q-wave myocardial infarction.

Results

Of 15 968 participants, there were 7487 patients with ACS enrolled; 3750 patients were assigned to the experimental group and 3737 patients to the reference group. Between 31 and 365 days after randomization, the primary outcome occurred in 55 patients (1.5%) in the experimental group and in 75 patients (2.0%) in the reference group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.73; 95% CI, 0.51-1.03; P = .07); investigator-reported Bleeding Academic Research Consortium-defined bleeding type 3 or 5 occurred in 28 patients (0.8%) in the experimental group and in 54 patients (1.5%) in the reference arm (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.33-0.81; P = .004).

Conclusions and Relevance

Between 1 month and 12 months after PCI in ACS, aspirin was associated with increased bleeding risk and appeared not to add to the benefit of ticagrelor on ischemic events. These findings should be interpreted as exploratory and hypothesis generating; however, they pave the way for further trials evaluating aspirin-free antiplatelet strategies after PCI.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01813435.

Combination of cyclic nucleotide modulators with P2Y12 receptor antagonists as anti-platelet therapy

BACKGROUND

Endothelium-derived prostacyclin and nitric oxide elevate platelet cyclic nucleotide levels and maintain quiescence. We previously demonstrated that a synergistic relationship exists between cyclic nucleotides and P2Y12 receptor inhibition. A number of clinically approved drug classes can modulate cyclic nucleotide tone in platelets including activators of NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase (GC) and phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. However, the doses required to inhibit platelets produce numerous side effects including headache.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated using GC-activators in combination with P2Y12 receptor antagonists as a way to selectively amplify the anti-thrombotic effect of both drugs.

METHODS

In vitro light transmission aggregation and platelet adhesion under flow were performed on washed platelets and platelet rich plasma. Aggregation in whole blood and a ferric chloride-induced arterial thrombosis model were also performed.

RESULTS

The GC-activator BAY-70 potentiated the action of the P2Y12 receptor inhibitor prasugrel active metabolite in aggregation and adhesion studies and was associated with raised intra-platelet cyclic nucleotide levels. Furthermore, mice administered sub-maximal doses of the GC activator cinaciguat together with the PDE inhibitor dipyridamole and prasugrel, showed significant inhibition of ex vivo platelet aggregation and significantly reduced in vivo arterial thrombosis in response to injury without alteration in basal carotid artery blood flow.

CONCLUSIONS

Using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo functional studies, we show that low dose GC activators synergize with P2Y12 inhibition to produce powerful anti-platelet effects without altering blood flow. Therefore, modulation of intra-platelet cyclic nucleotide levels alongside P2Y12 inhibition can provide a strong, focused anti-thrombotic regimen while minimizing vasodilator side effects.

Profiling the eicosanoid networks that underlie the anti- and pro-thrombotic effects of aspirin

Aspirin prevents thrombosis by inhibiting platelet cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 activity and the production of thromboxane (Tx)A₂, a pro-thrombotic eicosanoid. However, the non-platelet actions of aspirin limit its antithrombotic effects. Here, we used platelet-COX-1-ko mice to define the platelet and non-platelet eicosanoids affected by aspirin. Mass-spectrometry analysis demonstrated blood from platelet-COX-1-ko and global-COX-1-ko mice produced similar eicosanoid profiles in vitro: for example, formation of TxA₂, prostaglandin (PG) F_2α, 11-hydroxyeicosatraenoic acid (HETE), and 15-HETE was absent in both platelet- and global-COX-1-ko mice. Conversely, in vivo, platelet-COX-1-ko mice had a distinctly different profile from global-COX-1-ko or aspirin-treated control mice, notably significantly higher levels of PGI₂ metabolite. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) predicted that platelet-COX-1-ko mice would be protected from thrombosis, forming less pro-thrombotic TxA₂ and PGE₂. Conversely, aspirin or lack of systemic COX-1 activity decreased the synthesis of anti-aggregatory PGI₂ and PGD₂ at non-platelet sites leading to predicted thrombosis increase. In vitro and in vivo thrombosis studies proved these predictions. Overall, we have established the eicosanoid profiles linked to inhibition of COX-1 in platelets and in the remainder of the cardiovascular system and linked them to anti- and pro-thrombotic effects of aspirin. These results explain why increasing aspirin dosage or aspirin addition to other drugs may lessen antithrombotic protection.

Comparative Assessment of Predictive Performance of PRECISE-DAPT, CRUSADE, and ACUITY Scores in Risk Stratifying 30-Day Bleeding Events

Background  The utility of the PRECISE-DAPT score in predicting short-term major bleeding, either alone, or in comparison with the CRUSADE and ACUITY scores, has not been investigated. This analysis compared the predictive performances of the three bleeding scores in stratifying the risk of 30-day major bleeding postpercutaneous coronary intervention in patients with dual-antiplatelet therapy.

Methods  In this post hoc subanalysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial, the primary safety objective (bleeding according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] criteria [type 3 or 5]) was assessed at 30 days according to the three scores in the overall population, and in patients with acute (ACS) and chronic coronary syndrome (CCS).

Results  In a total of 15,968 patients, we calculated all three scores in 14,709 (92.1%). Irrespective of clinical presentation, the PRECISE-DAPT ( c -statistics: 0.648, 0.653, and 0.641, respectively), CRUSADE ( c -statistics: 0.641, 0.639, and 0.644, respectively), and ACUITY ( c -statistics: 0.633, 0.638, and 0.623, respectively) scores were no significant between-score differences in discriminatory performance for BARC 3 or 5 bleeding up to 30 days, and similarly the PRECISE-DAPT score had a comparable discriminative capacity according to the integrated discrimination improvement when compared with the other scores. In ACS, the CRUSADE score had a poor calibration ability (Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit [GOF] chi-square = 15.561, p  = 0.049), whereas in CCS, the PRECISE-DAPT score had poor calibration (GOF chi-square = 15.758, p  = 0.046).

Conclusion  The PRECISE-DAPT score might be clinically useful in the overall population and ACS patients for the prediction of short-term major bleeding considering its discriminative and calibration abilities.

Aspirin Hypersensitivity in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. What Should We be Doing?

Aspirin plays a pivotal role in the management of patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) with well-recognised benefits of reducing recurrent myocardial infarction and minimising the risk of stent thrombosis for those undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Dual antiplatelet therapy is mandated for patients undergoing PCI and typically consists of aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor antagonist. Aspirin hypersensitivity poses a significant clinical dilemma, as the safety and efficacy of oral antiplatelet combinations that exclude aspirin have not been validated. Although, genuine hypersensitivity to aspirin is encountered infrequently, it can be challenging when managing patients with concomitant CAD given the paucity of safe and effective alternatives. Aspirin desensitization is a potential and safe option but may not always be practical. This review aims to highlight the challenges of aspirin hypersensitivity in patients undergoing PCI and propose a treatment algorithm to address this issue in clinical practice.

The impact of pre-procedure heart rate on adverse clinical outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: Results from a 2-year follow-up of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The prognostic impact of pre-procedure heart rate (PHR) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not yet been fully investigated. This post-hoc analysis sought to assess the impact of PHR on medium-term outcomes among patients having PCI, who were enrolled in the "all-comers" GLOBAL LEADERS trial.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The primary endpoint (composite of all-cause death or new Q-wave myocardial infarction [MI]) and key secondary safety endpoint (bleeding according to Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] type 3 or 5) were assessed at 2 years. PHR was available in 15,855 patients, and when evaluated as a continuous variable (5 bpm increase) and following adjustment using multivariate Cox regression, it significantly correlated with the primary endpoint (hazard ratio [HR] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.09, p < 0.001). Using dichotomous cut-off criteria, a PHR>67 bpm was associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR 1.38, 95%CI 1.13-1.69, p = 0.002) and more frequent new Q-wave MI (HR 1.41, 95%CI 1.02-1.93, p = 0.037). No significant association was found between PHR and BARC 3 or 5 bleeding (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.99-1.09, p = 0.099). There was no interaction with the primary (p-inter = 0.236) or secondary endpoint (p-inter = 0.154) when high and low PHR was analyzed according to different antiplatelet strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated PHR was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality at 2 years following PCI in the "all-comer" GLOBAL LEADERS trial. The prognostic value of increased PHR on outcomes was not affected by the different antiplatelet strategies in this trial.

Ticagrelor monotherapy beyond one month after PCI in ACS or stable CAD in elderly patients: a pre-specified analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial

AIMS

Antiplatelet treatment in the elderly post percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) remains a complex issue. Here we report the results of the pre-specified subgroup analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial evaluating the long-term safety and cardiovascular efficacy of ticagrelor monotherapy among patients categorised according to the pre-specified cut-off value of 75 years of age.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This was a pre-specified analysis of the randomised GLOBAL LEADERS trial (n=15,991), comparing 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy (after one month of DAPT) with the reference treatment (12-month DAPT followed by 12 months of aspirin). Among elderly patients (>75 years; n=2,565), the primary endpoint (two-year all-cause mortality or new Q-wave core lab-adjudicated myocardial infarction [MI]) occurred in 7.2% and 9.4% of patients in the ticagrelor monotherapy and the reference group, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58-0.99, p=0.041; pint=0.23); BARC-defined bleeding type 3/5 occurred in 5.2% and 4.1%, respectively (HR 1.29, 95% CI: 0.89-1.86; p=0.180; pint=0.06). The elderly with stable CAD had a higher rate of BARC 3/5 type bleeding (HR 2.05, 95% CI: 1.18-3.55) with ticagrelor monotherapy versus the reference treatment (pint=0.02). Elderly patients had a lower rate of definite or probable stent thrombosis (ST) with ticagrelor monotherapy (0.4% vs 1.4%, p=0.015, pint=0.01), compared with the reference group.

CONCLUSIONS

In this pre-specified, exploratory analysis of the overall neutral trial, there was no differential treatment effect of ticagrelor monotherapy (after one-month dual therapy with aspirin) found in elderly patients undergoing PCI with respect to the rate of the primary endpoint of all-cause death or new Q-wave MI. The lower rate of ST in the elderly with ticagrelor monotherapy is hypothesis-generating. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01813435.

The association of body mass index with long-term clinical outcomes after ticagrelor monotherapy following abbreviated dual antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a prespecified sub-analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS Trial

Background

The efficacy of antiplatelet therapies following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may be affected by body mass index (BMI).

Methods and results

This is a prespecified subgroup analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial, a prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial in an all-comer population undergoing PCI, comparing the experimental strategy (23-month ticagrelor monotherapy following 1-month dual antiplatelet therapy [DAPT]) with a reference regimen (12-month aspirin monotherapy following 12-month DAPT). A total of 15,968 patients were stratified by baseline BMI with prespecified threshold of 27 kg/m². Of those, 6973 (43.7%) patients with a BMI < 27 kg/m² had a higher risk of all-cause mortality at 2 years than those with BMI ≥ 27 kg/m² (adjusted HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02–1.49). At 2 years, the rates of the primary endpoint (all-cause mortality or new Q-wave myocardial infarction) were similar between treatment strategies in either BMI group (p_interaction = 0.51). In acute coronary syndrome, however, the experimental strategy was associated with significant reduction of the primary endpoint compared to the reference strategy in patients with BMI < 27 kg/m² (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.51–0.94), but not in the ones with BMI ≥ 27 kg/m² (p_interaction = 0.047). In chronic coronary syndrome, there was no between-group difference in the efficacy and safety of the two antiplatelet strategies.

Conclusions

Overall, BMI did not influence the treatment effect seen with ticagrelor monotherapy; however, a beneficial effect of ticagrelor monotherapy was seen in ACS patients with BMI < 27 kg/m².

Trial registration

The trial has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, Number NCT01813435.

Graphic abstract

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00392-020-01604-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact of renal function on clinical outcomes after PCI in ACS and stable CAD patients treated with ticagrelor: a prespecified analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Impaired renal function (IRF) is associated with increased risks of both ischemic and bleeding events. Ticagrelor has been shown to provide greater absolute reduction in ischemic risk following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in those with versus without IRF.

METHODS

A pre-specified sub-analysis of the randomized GLOBAL LEADERS trial (n = 15,991) comparing the experimental strategy of 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy (after 1-month ticagrelor and aspirin dual anti-platelet therapy [DAPT]) with 12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ACS and stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients stratified according to IRF (glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.73 m²).

RESULTS

At 2 years, patients with IRF (n = 2171) had a higher rate of the primary endpoint (all-cause mortality or centrally adjudicated, new Q-wave myocardial infarction [MI](hazard ratio [HR] 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35-1.98, p_adj = 0.001), all-cause death, site-reported MI, all revascularization and BARC 3 or 5 type bleeding, compared with patients without IRF. Among patients with IRF, there were similar rates of the primary endpoint (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.61-1.11, p = 0.192, p_int = 0.680) and BARC 3 or 5 type bleeding (HR 1.10, 95% CI 0.71-1.71, p = 0.656, p_int = 0.506) in the experimental versus the reference group. No significant interactions were seen between IRF and treatment effect for any of the secondary outcome variables. Among ACS patients with IRF, there were no between-group differences in the rates of the primary endpoint or BARC 3 or 5 type bleeding; however, the rates of the patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE) of all-cause death, any stroke, MI, or revascularization (p_int = 0.028) and net adverse clinical events (POCE and BARC 3 or 5 type bleeding) (p_int = 0.045), were lower in the experimental versus the reference group. No treatment effects were found in stable CAD patients categorized according to presence of IRF.

CONCLUSIONS

IRF negatively impacted long-term prognosis after PCI. There were no differential treatment effects found with regard to all-cause death or new Q-wave MI after PCI in patients with IRF treated with ticagrelor monotherapy.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01813435.

Ascertainment of Silent Myocardial Infarction in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (from the GLOBAL LEADERS Trial)

Q-wave myocardial infarction (QWMI) comprises 2 entities. First, a clinically evident MI, which can occur spontaneously or be related to a coronary procedure. Second, silent MI which is incidentally detected on serial electrocardiographic (ECG) assessment. The prevalence of silent MI after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the drug-eluting stent era has not been fully investigated. The GLOBAL LEADERS is an all-comers multicenter trial which randomized 15,991 patients who underwent PCI to 2 antiplatelet treatment strategies. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause death or nonfatal new QWMI at 2-years follow-up. ECGs were collected at discharge, 3-month and 2-year visits, and analyzed by an independent ECG core laboratory following the Minnesota code. All new QWMI were further reviewed by a blinded independent cardiologist to identify a potential clinical correlate by reviewing clinical information. Of 15,968 participants, ECG information was complete in 14,829 (92.9%) at 2 years. A new QWMI was confirmed in 186 (1.16%) patients. Transient new Q-waves were observed in 28.5% (53 of 186) of them during the follow-up. The majority of new QWMI (78%, 146 of 186) were classified as silent MI due to the absence of a clinical correlate. Silent MI accounted for 22.1% (146 of 660) of all MI events. The prevalence of silent MI did not differ significantly between treatment strategies (experimental vs reference: 0.88% vs 0.98%, p = 0.5027). In conclusion, we document the prevalence of silent MI in an all-comers population undergoing PCI in this large-scale randomized trial.

Impact of recruitment and retention on all-cause mortality in a large all-comers randomised controlled trial: insights from the GLOBAL LEADERS trial

OBJECTIVE

Recruitment and retention in trials may bias the results and subsequently complicate their interpretation and validity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of recruitment and retention on all-cause mortality in a large all-comers trial.

METHODS

The recruitment rate in each investigating center of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial was assessed and the 130 centers were subdivided into low and high recruiters according to the median, with all-cause mortality then compared between the two groups. Vital status was obtained from public records in patients with incomplete follow-up.

RESULTS

The trial randomized 15,991 (7.86%) of 203,483 eligible patients with percutaneous coronary intervention during the recruitment period, of whom 15,267 (95.47%) completed follow-up, 23 (0.14%) patients withdrew consent and formally requested to be deleted from the database; 183 (1.14%) withdrew consent but only objected to future data collection; 303 (1.89%) discontinued the study; and 215 (1.34%) were lost to follow-up. Vital status was finally obtained in all but 31 patients (99.81%). Patients from low recruiters had a significantly lower all-cause mortality than high ones (2.26% vs. 3.24%; hazard ratio: 0.69; 95% confidence interval: 0.55-0.87; p = 0.002). There was a significant difference in all-cause mortality among the incomplete follow-up groups (log-rank p < 0.001) with a significantly higher mortality in the 183 patients who withdrew consent than those who completed follow-up (7.38% vs. 2.99%, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Recruitment and retention significantly impacted all-cause mortality. Search for vital status through public domains is of paramount importance in the interpretation and validity of large clinical trials.

Impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and dyspnoea on clinical outcomes in ticagrelor treated patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in the randomized GLOBAL LEADERS trial

Aims

To evaluate long-term safety and efficacy of ticagrelor monotherapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in relation to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at baseline and the occurrence of dyspnoea reported as adverse event (AE) that may lead to treatment non-adherence.

Methods and results

This is a non-prespecified, post hoc analysis of the randomized GLOBAL LEADERS trial (n = 15 991), comparing the experimental strategy of 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy following 1-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after PCI with the reference strategy of 12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy. Impact of COPD and dyspnoea AE (as a time-dependent covariate) on clinical outcomes was evaluated up to 2 years. The primary endpoint was a 2-year all-cause mortality or non-fatal, centrally adjudicated, new Q-wave myocardial infarction. The presence of COPD (n = 832) was the strongest clinical predictor of 2-year all-cause mortality after PCI [hazard ratio (HR) 2.84; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.21–3.66; P adjusted = 0.001] in this cohort (n = 15 991). No differential treatment effects on 2-year clinical outcomes were found in patients with and without COPD (primary endpoint: HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.58–1.35; P = 0.562; P int = 0.952). Overall, at 2 years dyspnoea was reported as an AE in 2101 patients, more frequently among COPD patients, irrespective of treatment allocation (27.2% in experimental arm vs. 14.5% in reference arm, P = 0.001). Its occurrence was not associated with a higher rate of the primary endpoint (P adjusted = 0.640) in the experimental vs. the reference arm.

Conclusion

In this exploratory analysis, COPD negatively impacted long-term prognosis after PCI. Despite higher incidence of dyspnoea in the experimental arm, in particular among COPD patients, the safety of the experimental treatment strategy appeared not to be affected.

Clinical trial registration unique identifier

NCT01813435.

Association between post-percutaneous coronary intervention bivalirudin infusion and net adverse clinical events: a post hoc analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS study

Aims

The efficacy and safety of continued bivalirudin infusion after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains uncertain. We sought to investigate the association between post-PCI bivalirudin infusion and the risk of net adverse clinical events (NACE) at 30 days.

Methods and results

In the GLOBAL LEADERS study, all patients who received bivalirudin during PCI were categorized according to the use of bivalirudin infusion after the procedure. The primary endpoint of the present analysis was NACE [a composite of all-cause death, any stroke, any myocardial infarction, all revascularization, and bleeding assessed according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) criteria Type 3 or 5] at 30 days. The key safety endpoint was BARC Type 3 or 5 bleeding and definite stent thrombosis. Of 15 968 patients, 13 870 underwent PCI with the use of bivalirudin. In total, 7148 patients received continued bivalirudin infusion after procedure, while 6722 patients received standard care. After propensity score covariate adjustment, the risk of NACE did not significantly differ between two treatments after PCI [continued bivalirudin infusion vs. no bivalirudin infusion: 3.2% vs. 3.1%, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.99–1.84, P = 0.06] nor the BARC Type 3 or 5 bleeding (0.7% vs. 0.7%, aHR 0.89, 95% CI 0.44–1.79; P = 0.743) and definite stent thrombosis (0.5% vs. 0.3%, aHR 1.71, 95% CI 0.77–3.81, P = 0.189). However, continued bivalirudin infusion was associated with an increased risk of NACE and definite stent thrombosis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

Conclusion

In an all-comers population undergoing PCI, there was no significant difference in the risk of NACE at 30 days between continued bivalirudin infusion vs. no bivalirudin infusion after procedure but continued bivalirudin infusion was associated with a higher risk of NACE in STEMI patients when compared with no infusion.

Association of Pulse Pressure With Clinical Outcomes in Patients Under Different Antiplatelet Strategies After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Analysis of GLOBAL LEADERS

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the association of pulse pressure (PP) and different antiplatelet regimes with clinical and safety outcomes in an all-comers percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) population.

METHODS

In this analysis of GLOBAL LEADERS (n = 15,936) we compared the experimental therapy of 23 months of ticagrelor after 1 month of dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) vs standard DAPT for 12 months followed by aspirin monotherapy in subjects who underwent PCI and were divided into 2 groups according to the median PP (60 mm Hg). The primary end point (all-cause death or new Q-wave myocardial infarction) and the composite end points: patient-oriented composite end points (POCE), Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) 3 or 5, and net adverse clinical events (NACE) were evaluated.

RESULTS

At 2 years, subjects in the high-PP group (n = 7971) had similar rates of the primary end point (4.3% vs 3.9%; P = 0.058), POCE (14.9% vs 12.7%; P = 0.051), and BARC 3 or 5 (2.5% vs 1.7%; P = 0.355) and higher rates of NACE (16.4% vs 13.7%; P = 0.037) compared with the low-PP group (n = 7965). Among patients with PP < 60 mm Hg, the primary end point (3.4% vs 4.4%, adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61-0.96), POCE (11.8% vs 13.5%, aHR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76-0.98), NACE (12.8% vs 14.7%, aHR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76-0.96), and BARC 3 or 5 (1.4% vs 2.1%, aHR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49-0.97) were lower with ticagrelor monotherapy compared with DAPT. The only significant interaction was for BARC 3 or 5 (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

After contemporary PCI, subjects with high PP levels experienced high rates of NACE at 2 years. In those with low PP, ticagrelor monotherapy led to a lower risk of bleeding events compared with standard DAPT.

Ticagrelor for Secondary Prevention of Atherothrombotic Events in Patients With Multivessel Coronary Disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with prior myocardial infarction (MI) and multivessel coronary disease (MVD) are at high risk for recurrent coronary events.

OBJECTIVES

The authors investigated the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor versus placebo in patients with MVD in the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 (Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin-Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 54) trial.

METHODS

Patients with a history of MI 1 to 3 years before inclusion in the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 trial were stratified in a pre-specified analysis based on the presence of MVD. The effect of ticagrelor (60 mg and 90 mg) on the composite of cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke (major adverse cardiovascular events [MACE]), as well as the composite of coronary death, MI, or stent thrombosis (coronary events), and on TIMI major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and fatal bleeding were evaluated over a median of 33 months.

RESULTS

A total of 12,558 patients (59.4%) had MVD. In the placebo arm, compared with patients without MVD, those with MVD were at higher risk for MACE (9.37% vs. 8.57%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR_adj]: 1.24; p = 0.026) and for coronary events (7.67% vs. 5.34%, HR_adj: 1.49; p = 0.0005). In patients with MVD, ticagrelor reduced the risk of MACE (7.94% vs. 9.37%, HR: 0.82; p = 0.004) and coronary events (6.02% vs. 7.67%, HR: 0.76; p < 0.0001), including a 36% reduction in coronary death (HR: 0.64; 95% confidence interval: 0.48 to 0.85; p = 0.002). In this subgroup, ticagrelor increased the risk of TIMI major bleeding (2.52% vs. 1.08%, HR: 2.67; p < 0.0001), but not ICH or fatal bleeds.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with prior MI and MVD are at increased risk of MACE and coronary events, and experience substantial relative and absolute risk reductions in both outcomes with long-term ticagrelor treatment relative to those without MVD. Ticagrelor increases the risk of TIMI major bleeding, but not ICH or fatal bleeding. For patients with prior MI and MVD, ticagrelor is an effective option for long-term antiplatelet therapy. (Prevention of Cardiovascular Events [e.g., Death From Heart or Vascular Disease, Heart Attack, or Stroke] in Patients With Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin [PEGASUS]; NCT01225562).

Effects of Ticagrelor versus Clopidogrel in Patients with Coronary Bifurcation Lesions Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background

Percutaneous treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions can potentially lead to higher risk of ischemic events than the nonbifurcation ones, thus calling for further optimization of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes from ticagrelor and clopidogrel in bifurcation lesions patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study in patients with coronary bifurcation lesions. A total of 553 patients discharged on ticagrelor or clopidogrel combined with aspirin were recruited for 1-year follow-up. The incidences of primary endpoint (major adverse cardiovascular event [MACE]: a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction [MI] or stroke), secondary endpoints (the individual component of the primary endpoint or definite/probable stent thrombosis), and major bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC]≥3 bleeding events) were evaluated. To minimize the selection bias, a propensity score-matched population analysis was also conducted.

Results

The risks of both primary endpoint (8.15% and 12.01% for the ticagrelor and clopidogrel groups, respectively; adjusted hazards ratio [HR]: 0.488, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.277-0.861, P=0.013) and MI (4.44% and 8.48% for the ticagrelor and clopidogrel groups, respectively; adjusted HR: 0.341, 95% CI: 0.162-0.719, P=0.005) were significantly reduced in the ticagrelor group as compared with those of the clopidogrel counterpart, whereas the risk of major bleeding was comparable (2.96% and 2.47% for the ticagrelor and clopidogrel groups, respectively; adjusted HR: 0.972, 95% CI: 0.321-2.941, P=0.960). Propensity score-matched analysis confirmed such findings.

Conclusions

For patients with bifurcation lesions after PCI, ticagrelor treatment shows lower MACE and MI rates than the clopidogrel one, along with comparable major bleeding.

Rationale and design of a prospective substudy of clinical endpoint adjudication processes within an investigator-reported randomised controlled trial in patients with coronary artery disease: the GLOBAL LEADERS Adjudication Sub-StudY (GLASSY)

INTRODUCTION

The GLOBAL LEADERS is an open-label, pragmatic and superiority randomised controlled trial designed to challenge the current treatment paradigm of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for 12 months followed by aspirin monotherapy among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. By design, all study endpoints are investigator reported (IR) and not subject to formal adjudication by an independent Clinical Event Committee (CEC), which may introduce detection, reporting or ascertainment bias.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We designed the GLOBAL LEADERS Adjudication Sub-StudY (GLASSY) to prospectively implement, in a large sample of patients enrolled within the GLOBAL LEADERS trial (7585 of 15 991, 47.5%), an independent adjudication process of reported and unreported potential endpoints, using standardised CEC procedures, in order to assess whether 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy (90 mg twice daily) after 1-month DAPT is non-inferior to a standard regimen of DAPT for 12 months followed by aspirin monotherapy for the primary efficacy endpoint of death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke or urgent target vessel revascularisation and superior for the primary safety endpoint of type 3 or 5 bleeding according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria.This study will comprehensively assess the comparative safety and efficacy of the two tested antithrombotic strategies on CEC-adjudicated ischaemic and bleeding endpoints and will provide insights into the role of a standardised CEC adjudication process on the interpretation of study findings by quantifying the level of concordance between IR-reported and CEC-adjudicated events.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

GLASSY has been approved by local ethics committee of all study sites and/or by the central ethics committee for the country depending on country-specific regulations. In all cases, they deemed that it was not necessary to obtain further informed consent from individual subjects.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01813435.

Rapid Aspirin Desensitization is Safe and Feasible in Patients With Stable and Unstable Coronary Artery Disease: A Single-Center Experience

AIMS

There are limited data on aspirin (ASA) desensitization for patients with coronary disease. We present our experience with a rapid nurse-led oral desensitization regimen in patients with aspirin sensitivity undergoing coronary angiography.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective observational study includes patients with a history of ASA sensitivity undergoing coronary angiography with intent to perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

RESULTS

Between January 2012 and January 2017, 24 patients undergoing coronary angiography for stable coronary disease (7 cases) or acute coronary syndromes (non-ST-segment myocardial infarction [NSTEMI; 8 cases], STEMI [9 cases]) underwent aspirin desensitization having reported previous reactions to aspirin. At initial presentation, previous sensitivity reactions were reported as: mucocutaneous reactions in 17 patients (urticaria in 3 [13%], nonurticarial rash in 6 [25%], angio-oedema in 8 [33%]), respiratory sensitivity in 4 (17%), and systemic anaphylactoid reactions in 3 (13%). Seventeen (71%) patients underwent PCI. Desensitization was acutely successful in 22 (92%) patients and unsuccessful in 2 (8%) patients who both had a single short-lived episode of acute bronchospasm treated successfully with nebulized salbutamol. Fifteen successfully desensitized patients completed 12 months of aspirin; no patient had recurrent hypersensitivity reaction. Aspirin was stopped prior to 12 months in 7 patients (replaced by warfarin [1 case], no antiplatelet or single antiplatelet clinically indicated and clopidogrel chosen [4 cases], patient choice without evidence of recurrent hypersensitivity [1 case], and death due to cardiogenic shock following STEMI [1 case]).

CONCLUSION

A rapid aspirin desensitization protocol is safe and effective across a broad spectrum of hypersensitivity reactions and clinical presentations.

Early vascular responses to everolimus-eluting cobalt-chromium stent in the culprit lesions of st-elevation myocardial infarction: results from a multicenter prospective optical coherence tomography study (MECHANISM-AMI 2-week follow-up study)

The use of cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents (CoCr-EES) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) reduces the incidence of stent thrombosis compared with bare metal stents, and a substantial difference is apparent in the initial 2 weeks. However, vascular behavior during this early period remains unclear. This was a prospective study (MECHANISM-AMI-2W) to investigate early vascular responses in STEMI patients immediately after CoCr-EES implantation and at 2-week follow-up using frequency domain-optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT). The study enrolled 52 patients (age 63.7 ± 11.7 years, male 85.0%), of whom 44 patients were available for complete serial FD-OCT analyses. Both % uncovered struts and % malapposed struts were improved at 2-week follow-up (63 ± 20 vs. 21 ± 14%, p < 0.0001 and 7.3 ± 9.0 vs. 4.7 ± 5.9%, p = 0.005, respectively). Thrombus was decreased, with significant changes in longitudinal length to stent (28.8 ± 27.7 vs. 18.1 ± 20.2%, p = 0.0001) and maximal area (0.93 ± 0.84 vs. 0.65 ± 0.63 mm2, p = 0.034). As a result, the average lumen area was significantly larger at 2 weeks (6.49 ± 1.82 vs. 6.71 ± 1.89 mm2, p = 0.048, respectively). The number of dissection flaps was lower (0.86 ± 1.11 vs. 0.52 ± 0.90%, p = 0.024). In conclusion, this study showed early vascular responses to CoCr-EES for STEMI lesions-including a significant reduction of thrombus-that resulted in lumen enlargement, earlier progression of strut coverage, and improvements in strut apposition and dissection. The combination of these factors may therefore be responsible for the safety of CoCr-EES within the initial 2 weeks.

Impact of high on-aspirin platelet reactivity on outcomes following successful percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents

BACKGROUND

Whether high on-aspirin platelet reactivity (HAPR) confers an increased risk of adverse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear. We sought to examine the specific relationship between HAPR and clinical outcomes in ADAPT-DES.

METHODS

A total of 8,526 "all-comer" patients in the ADAPT-DES registry who underwent placement of drug-eluting stents (DES) and were treated with aspirin and clopidogrel were assessed to measure platelet reactivity. HAPR was characterized as ≥550 aspirin reaction units and high on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity as >208 P2Y12 reaction units. Univariable and propensity-adjusted multivariable analyses were used to assess the relationship between HAPR and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

HAPR was present in 478 (5.6%) patients. Patients with HAPR were older and had more comorbid illnesses and more complex coronary anatomy. During 2-year follow-up, HAPR was not associated with increased rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, or all-cause mortality. In propensity-adjusted multivariable analyses, HAPR was not an independent predictor of MACE after successful PCI (multivariable adjusted hazard ratio: 1.04; 95% CI 0.64-1.69, P = .87). Nor was HAPR associated with reduced bleeding. Even among patients with concomitant high on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity, HAPR was not associated with worse ischemic outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio for 2-year MACE: 1.06; 95% CI 0.55-2.00, P = .87).

CONCLUSIONS

HAPR was infrequently present in a large registry of patients undergoing PCI. There was no clear relationship between HAPR and 2-year clinical outcomes. Investigations of antiplatelet regimens without aspirin after DES implantation are ongoing and should inform future management of patients undergoing PCI.