Ticagrelor May Reduce Subsequent Myocardial Infarction Risk

Similar to the DAPT trial on dual antiplatelet therapy beyond a year, the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 trial examined longer-term duration of ticagrelor therapy.

Researchers studied nearly 20,000 patients who had a myocardial infarction (MI) 1 to 3 years prior, plus 1 additional cardiovascular risk factor, to see how they managed on ticagrelor beyond 12 months.

Patients were given 60 mg or 90 mg of ticagrelor, or placebo. The researchers determined both ticagrelor dosage strengths reduced the risk of subsequent MI, notes Yekaterina Opsha, PharmD, BCPS-AQ Cardiology, a clinical specialist of cardiovascular medicine at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.