BACKGROUND

Triple antithrombotic therapy is used in patients who require systemic anticoagulation and undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) requiring dual antiplatelet therapy. Bleeding with this combination is significant; however, few studies have described outcomes with the use of newer oral P2Y inhibitors in this setting.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to compare outcomes among patients prescribed triple therapy with prasugrel or ticagrelor compared to triple therapy with clopidogrel in patients who underwent PCI and required warfarin.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 168 patients who received either prasugrel (n = 32) or ticagrelor (n = 10) and were matched (1:3) to those who received clopidogrel (n = 126) at the time of discharge from the index PCI visit. Matching was performed based on age ±10 years, sex, and indication for PCI. The primary outcome was the incidence of any bleeding during the 12-month follow-up. We also evaluated major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs).

RESULTS

Patient baseline characteristics were similar between groups. There was a significant excess of bleeding in patients who received prasugrel or ticagrelor compared to clopidogrel as part of triple therapy (28.6% vs 12.7%; odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.38-8.34). No differences were seen between groups in MACCEs.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of prasugrel or ticagrelor as part of triple antithrombotic therapy among patients who underwent PCI and received warfarin was associated with significantly more bleeding compared to patients who received clopidogrel. Therefore, higher potency P2Y inhibitors should be used cautiously in these patients.