The impact of switching P2Y12 receptor inhibitor therapy during index hospitalization: a systematic review

Short term outcome following acute phase switch among P2Y12 inhibitors in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome treated with PCI: A systematic review and meta-analysis including 22,500 patients from 14 studies

INTRODUCTION

The efficacy and safety of switching P2Y12 receptor antagonists in patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remain unclear. We assessed the short-term clinical outcomes (in-hospital and within 30 days) of switching P2Y12 inhibitor (P2Y12I) drugs versus maintaining the same regimen by performing a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of available data.

METHODS

MEDLINE/PubMed/SCOPUS/Cochrane databases were screened for studies regarding switching of P2Y12I in patients with ACS that reported 30 days follow-up. Major cardiac events (MACE) and bleeding were compared between patients who were switched/not switched.

RESULTS

22,500 patients from 14 studies were included. Unstable angina/non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (62.0%, interquartile range, 52.8%-68.0%) was the most common clinical presentation. The total number switched was 4294 (19.1%); escalation in 3416 (79.5%) patients (from clopidogrel to prasugrel, 62.9%) and de-escalation in 18.5%. Pooled analysis revealed no significant differences in MACE for any comparison; risk of bleeding was significantly increased among switched patients overall (odds ratio [OR], 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-2.10) and increased in the escalation group (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.06-2.16).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients presenting with ACS, switching from one P2Y12I agent to another in the acute phase seems associated with a short-term increased risk of bleeding. Accurate upfront selection and prescription of a P2Y12I based on ischemic and bleeding risks is paramount to avoid adverse events switching-related during hospitalization and in the first 30 days.

Oral antiplatelet agents for the management of acute coronary syndromes: A review for nurses and allied healthcare professionals

PURPOSE

We review the use of oral antiplatelet (OAP) therapies in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) management for nurse practitioners (NPs), focusing on current guideline recommendations.

DATA SOURCES

Treatment guidelines and clinical articles from PubMed.

CONCLUSIONS

Guidelines recommend that dual antiplatelet therapy with a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor and aspirin be initiated for ACS management. The P2Y₁₂ inhibitor clopidogrel has established efficacy, but is associated with suboptimal and delayed platelet inhibition and variability in response. The newer P2Y₁₂ inhibitors prasugrel and ticagrelor have demonstrated superior efficacy outcomes versus clopidogrel. Consequently, non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) guidelines now recommend that ticagrelor be used in preference to clopidogrel for patients treated with stents or managed medically. Because of their higher potency, prasugrel and ticagrelor are associated with increased bleeding rates versus clopidogrel, but with no increased risk of severe or life-threatening bleeding. Guidelines recommend dual antiplatelet therapy be continued ≥12 months in both medically managed and stented ACS patients, and in some cases beyond this, in absence of high bleeding risk. Updated guidelines assign preference to ticagrelor over clopidogrel for maintenance therapy in patients with NSTE-ACS and ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Enhanced NP understanding of OAP agents and current guidelines could contribute to improved ACS patient management.

Switching of platelet P2Y12 receptor inhibitors in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: Review of the literature and practical considerations

The combination of aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor is the cornerstone of treatment in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) and in those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). At the present time, 3 different oral P2Y12 receptor inhibitors are available on the market; 2 have obtained the indication for ACS (clopidogrel and ticagrelor) and 1 for ACS with planned PCI (prasugrel). An intravenous direct acting P2Y12 inhibitor, cangrelor, has also been recently approved by US and European regulatory agencies for patients undergoing PCI. Although the correct timing and modality of transition from intravenous cangrelor to oral P2Y12 inhibitors is still controversial and needs further evidence, switching between oral P2Y12 receptor inhibitors frequently occurs in clinical practice for several reasons. This practice raises the question of the relative safety of this strategy and of which switching approaches are preferable. In this article, we review the data on switching antiplatelet treatment strategies with P2Y12 receptor inhibitors and discuss practical considerations for switching therapies in patients with ACS undergoing PCI.