Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Profiles of Prasugrel in Patients With ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Comparison of Standard Versus Crushed Formulation

Dual antiplatelet therapy consisting of aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor antagonist is the cornerstone of treatment for prevention of thrombotic events in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Prasugrel, a third generation thienopyridine, is an orally administered prodrug that needs single-step hepatic biotransformation into its active metabolite to irreversibly block the P2Y12 receptor. Prasugrel has shown to be superior to clopidogrel, in adjunct to aspirin, in preventing recurrent ischemic events. Prasugrel is approved in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at a dosage of 60 mg loading dose (LD) followed by 10 mg/day. However, a delay in the onset of its antiplatelet effects in this particular setting has been consistently shown. The STEMI setting is characterized by conditions, such as impaired absorption and hepatic metabolism, patients either intubated, in shock or unable to swallow, which may affect the pharmacoki¬netic and pharmacodynamic effects of orally administered antiplatelet drugs. The administration of clopidogrel and ticagrelor crushed tablets has been tested and a faster and greater bioavailability compared to the whole tablets has been observed. However, if the administration of a crushed prasugrel LD may overcome the above limitation is still unknown and represents the aim of our study. The proposed investigation will have a prospective, randomized, design in which STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI will be randomized to receive two different formulation of prasugrel LD (60 mg whole tablets and 60 mg crushed tablets). Pharmacodynamic testing will be performed at several time points to test our study hypothesis that crushed LD regiment will achieve more prompt and enhanced platelet inhibitory effects. This study will provide insights on the pharmacodynamic effects of crushed prasugrel LD and will help clinicians choose the most appropriate treatment to avoid complications related to inadequate platelet inhibition in the early phase of patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.