Limb Outcomes With Ticagrelor Plus Aspirin in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus and Atherosclerosis

Marc P. Bonaca, Deepak L. Bhatt, Tabassome Simon, Kim Michael Fox, Shamir Mehta, Robert A. Harrington, Lawrence A. Leiter, Warren H. Capell, Claes Held, Anders Himmelmann, Wilhelm Ridderstråle, Jersey Chen, Jane J. Lee, Yang Song, Marielle Andersson, Jayne Prats, Mikhail Kosiborod, Darren K. McGuire, Ph Gabriel Steg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Ticagrelor reduced major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and increased bleeding in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary artery disease. Limb events including revascularization, acute limb ischemia (ALI), and amputation are major morbidities in patients with T2DM and atherosclerosis. Objectives: This study sought to determine the effect of ticagrelor on limb events. Methods: Patients were randomized to ticagrelor or placebo on top of aspirin and followed for a median of 3 years. MACE (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke), limb events (ALI, amputation, revascularization), and bleeding were adjudicated by an independent and blinded clinical events committee. The presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) was reported at baseline. Results: Of 19,220 patients randomized, 1,687 (8.8%) had PAD at baseline. In patients receiving placebo, PAD was associated with higher MACE (10.7% vs 7.3%; HR: 1.48; P < 0.001) and limb (9.5% vs 0.8%; HR: 10.67; P < 0.001) risk. Ticagrelor reduced limb events (1.6% vs 1.3%; HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.61-0.96; P = 0.022) with significant reductions for revascularization (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.62-0.99; P = 0.044) and ALI (HR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.08-0.70; P = 0.009). The benefit was consistent with or without PAD (HR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.58-1.11; and HR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.55-1.05, respectively; Pinteraction = 0.81). There was no effect modification of ticagrelor vs placebo based on PAD for MACE (Pinteraction = 0.40) or TIMI major bleeding (Pinteraction = 0.3239). Conclusions: Patients with T2DM and atherosclerosis are at high risk of limb events. Ticagrelor decreased this risk, but increased bleeding. Future trials evaluating the combination of ticagrelor and aspirin would further elucidate the benefit/risk of such therapy in patients with PAD, including those without coronary artery disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1627-1636
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology
Volume83
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 30 2024

Keywords

  • Long-term ticagrelor
  • myocardial infarction
  • real-world evidence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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