Intensified P2Y12 inhibition for high-on treatment platelet reactivity

High on treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) during treatment with clopidogrel has been consistently found to be strong risk factor for recurrent ischemic events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Insufficient P2Y12 receptor inhibition contributes to HPR measured by the VerifyNow (VN) assay. Prasugrel and ticagrelor are more potent P2Y12 inhibitors than clopidogrel and commonly substituted for clopidogrel when HPR is documented, however benefit of VN guided intensified antiplatelet therapy is uncertain. We identified patients who had undergone platelet reactivity testing after PCI with VN after pretreatment with clopidogrel (n = 252) in a single center observational analysis. Patients who had HPR defined as PRU > 208 were switched to alternate P2Y12 inhibitors. Primary clinical endpoint was 1-year post PCI combined cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stent thrombosis. One hundred and eight (43%) subjects had HPR and were switched to prasugrel (n = 60) and ticagrelor (n = 48). Risk of recurrent 1-year primary endpoint remained higher for HPR patients switched to either ticagrelor or prasugrel as compared to subjects who had low on treatment platelet reactivity (n = 144) (LPR) on clopidogrel [Hazard Ratio: 3.5 (95% CI 1.1–11.1); p = 0.036)]. Propensity score matched analysis demonstrated higher event rates in patients with HPR on alternate P2Y12 inhibitor as compared to patients with LPR (log-rank: p = 0.044). The increased risk of recurrent events associated with HPR measured by VN is not completely attenuated by switching to more potent P2Y12 inhibitors. Non-P2Y12 mediated pathways likely contribute to increased incidence of thrombotic events after PCI in subjects with HPR.