Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in reducing inflammatory cell infiltration of thrombus aspirated in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Ticagrelor provides more rapid, potent, and consistent anti-platelet efficacy than clopidogrel. This study is a randomized trial that aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of ticagrelor on thrombus aspirated from the ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. The results were compared against clopidogrel. The study was conducted among 98 patients with STEMI and intended percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The patients were divided into two groups to receive clopidogrel (600-mg loading dose) or ticagrelor (180-mg loading dose). As compared with the clopidogrel group, the number of total inflammatory cells per mm2 thrombus area in the ticagrelor group was decreased by 28%. The numbers of neutrophils and myeloperoxidase-positive cells per mm2 thrombus area in the ticagrelor group were decreased by 35% and 28% respectively, as compared with those in the clopidogrel group. Moreover, ticagrelor treatment reduced the ratio of monocytes number higher than 250 per mm2 thrombus area compared with clopidogrel treatment (4% versus 29%, P = 0.048). The study concluded that in patients with undergoing PCI for STEMI, the loading dose ticagrelor regimen was associated with a reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration within thrombus compared with the loading dose clopidogrel regimen. Disclaimer: Lupin makes no representation or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any scientific information shared by the HCP on the ­­­STAR UPDATE podcast. You should not allow the contents of this to substitute for your own medical judgment, which you should exercise in evaluating the information on this website.