Effects of P2Y12 Receptor Inhibitors on Central and Peripheral Chemoreceptors' Sensitivity

Research project objectives: Most common complication of P2Y12 inhibitors treatment, particularly with ticagrelor, is dyspnea reported in 0 to 9.3% and in 10 to 38.6% of patients taking clopidogrel and ticagrelor respectively. Pathogenesis of the P2Y12 inhibitors-induced dyspnea is unknown; however, recently published case reports suggests activation of chemosensory areas. The primary objective of this study is to assess the influence of most commonly used in clinical practice P2Y12 inhibitors - ticagrelor and clopidogrel - on central and peripheral chemosensitivities. The secondary objective of the study is to define the relationship between baseline chemosensitivity (assessed before the drug initiation) and the occurrence of dyspnea after the drug administration.

Methodology: Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCI), who according to current European Cardiac Society Guidelines are prescribed with various P2Y12 inhibitors (drug choice depends on individual clinical situation), will be enrolled to the study. Patients will be assigned to 2 groups depending on the type of P2Y12 inhibitor prescribed: Group A -patients receiving ticagrelor, Group B -patients receiving clopidogrel. In both groups chemosensitivity assessment will be performed before P2Y12 inhibitor administration and after the drug initiation. Patients will be additionally asked to fill the questionnaire regarding dyspnea sensation during the treatment (VAS scale and investigator-designed questionnaire). Peripheral chemosensitivity assessment will be performed using transient hypoxia method, when progressive hypercapnic test will be employed to test central chemosensitivity. Blinded recordings of chemosensitivity tests will be analyzed by researcher not involved in data collection. Chemosensitivities prior to and after drugs initiation will be compared separately for groups A and B using appropriate statistical tests. The results of dyspnea sensation questionnaire will be compared between patients with high- and low- peripheral chemosensitivity (assessed before P2Y12 inhibitor initiation) within particular groups.