A slight efficacy advantage with ticagrelor plus aspirin over aspirin alone is offset by a slightly increased risk for adverse events.
The secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease remains an area of intense interest. In THEMIS, an industry-sponsored, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study (NCT01991795), investigators examined the efficacy of ticagrelor versus placebo added to aspirin in 19,271 patients aged 50 or older who had stable coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes.
Patients had no previous histories of myocardial infarction or stroke. The median follow-up was 39.9 months. Discontinuation was more common in the ticagrelor group (34.5% vs. 25.4%). The primary composite outcome (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) occurred in 7.7% of the ticagrelor group versus 8.5% of the placebo group; at 36 months, Kaplan-Meier rates were 6.9% and…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardUnited Healthcare; Element Science; Eyedentifeye, F-Prime
EquityHugo Health; Refactor Health; Element Science
Grant/Research SupportPfizer; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Janssen Research and Development, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute; American Heart Association
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardUnited Healthcare; Element Science; Eyedentifeye, F-Prime
EquityHugo Health; Refactor Health; Element Science
Grant/Research SupportPfizer; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Janssen Research and Development, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute; American Heart Association