Ticagrelor and Aspirin vs. Standard Dual Anti-Platelet Therapy After Stent Implantation

Study start date: July 1, 2013

Inclusion Criteria: -"All comer" patients Age ≥18 years; Presence of one or more coronary artery stenoses of 50% or more in a native coronary artery or in a saphenous venous or arterial bypass conduit suitable for coronary stent implantation. The vessel should have a reference vessel diameter of at least 2.25 mm (no limitation on the number of treated lesions, vessels, or lesion length); Able to provide informed consent and willing to participate in 2 year follow- up period. Exclusion Criteria: Known intolerance to aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitors, bivalirudin, stainless steel or biolimus; Known intake of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, ritonavir, and atazanavir), as co-administration may lead to a substantial increase in exposure to ticagrelor; Known moderate to severe hepatic impairment (alanine-aminotransferase ≥ 3 x ULN); Planned surgery, including coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) as a staged procedure (hybrid) within 12 months of the index procedure, unless dual antiplatelet therapy is maintained throughout the peri-surgical period; Need for chronic oral anti-coagulation therapy; Active major bleeding or major surgery within the last 30 days; Known history of intracranial haemorrhagic stroke or intra-cranial aneurysm; Known stroke (any type) within the last 30 days; Known pregnancy at time of randomisation; Female who is breastfeeding at time of randomisation; Currently participating in another trial and not yet at its primary endpoint.