Overview

Elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) face a high risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic complications necessitating antiplatelet therapy. Previous data indicate that even at a dose of 20-30 mg/day, aspirin (ASA) allows almost complete inhibition of thromboxane (TX) A2 biosynthesis in healthy volunteers. However, ASA at a dose of 30 mg/day has not been evaluated in the acute phase of myocardial infarction or among elderly patients, where it may achieve an optimal balance between bleeding risk and ischemic complications.

This randomized study will include 40 patients over 65 years undergoing PCI for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It compares a new dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) strategy consisting of a P2Y12 antagonist (ticagrelor) and ASA at a very low dose of 30 mg/day (n=20) against the current standard treatment (P2Y12 antagonist and ASA at a dose of 75 mg) (n=20) in the control group.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• age above 65 years
• acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
• positive results for myocardial necrosis markers (troponins)
• undergoing successful coronary angioplasty with stent implantation within the last 24-48 hours before enrollment in the study
• dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) containing ticagrelor

Exclusion Criteria:

• indications other than ACS and PCI for DAPT use
• history of stent thrombosis during the course of DAPT
• planned subsequent coronary artery revascularization
• planned surgery requiring suspension or interruption of DAPT
• planned discontinuation of ASA or P2Y12 antagonist during the study
• use of doses other than 75 mg ASA once daily or non-use of a P2Y12 inhibitor - intake of diuretic drugs (e.g., loop diuretics, thiazides, potassium-sparing drugs)
• intake or planned intake of oral anticoagulants, parenteral antithrombotic therapy (e.g., unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin, bivalirudin), glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (e.g., abciximab, tirofiban), fibrinolytic agents (e.g., tissue plasminogen activator), or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• history of acute or chronic liver disease; severe kidney disease requiring dialysis; pregnancy; comorbidities associated with a predicted life expectancy of less than 1 year
• any other condition deemed by the investigator to impact hemostasis, coagulation, bleeding risk, or the ability to adhere to the study protocol; receiving a strong inhibitor of cytochrome P450 3A, simvastatin or lovastatin at doses greater than 40 mg per day, a narrow therapeutic index cytochrome P450 3A substrate (e.g., cyclosporine or quinidine), or a strong inducer of cytochrome P450 3A (e.g., rifampin, rifabutin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital)
• hemodynamic instability; clinical condition preventing obtaining informed consent.