Tailoring P2Y12 Inhibiting Therapy in Patients Requiring Oral Anticoagulation After Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention:The Switching Anti-Platelet and Anti-Coagulant Therapy (SWAP-AC) - 2 Study

The combination of aspirin plus a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, also known as dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, a considerable number of patients undergoing PCI also have an indication to be on treatment with an oral anticoagulant (OAC). It is estimated that 10-15% of PCI patients also have an indication to be on OAC, raising concerns on their optimal antithrombotic treatment regimen. Studies have consistently shown dropping aspirin and maintaining a P2Y12 inhibitor and OAC to be associated with reduces bleeding without any significant increase in ischemic events. Accordingly, current practice recommendations is to limit the use of aspirin to the peri-PCI period and maintain dual therapy with a P2Y12 inhibitor and an OAC. Clopidogrel is the P2Y12 inhibitor of choice in PCI patients requiring OAC. However, concerns have been raised based on the notion that a considerable number of patients may have inadequate response to clopidogrel, also known as high platelet reactivity (HPR) status, and thus be at risk for thrombotic complications. Although practice recommendations indicate that the use of potent P2Y12 inhibitors (i.e., ticagrelor) may be considered in patients at increased thrombotic risk, they do not recommend routine testing to identify patients with HPR status. Nevertheless, consensus recommendations do indicate that the selective use of tests to define HPR status is a reasonable option in selected cases such as PCI patients requiring OAC. The aim of this study is to assess the pharmacodynamic effects of different P2Y12 inhibiting therapy (clopidogrel vs ticagrelor) in patients at high risk for HPR identified according to the ABCD-GENE score in PCI treated patients also requiring OAC. Up to a total of up to 63 patients are planned to be prospectively enrolled in this investigation which will entail a series of comprehensive pharmacodynamic assessments to reach the study aim.