Comparison of Reduced-Dose Prasugrel and Standard-Dose Clopidogrel in Elderly Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes Undergoing Early Percutaneous Revascularization

Circulation. 2018 Jun 5;137(23):2435-2445. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.032180. Epub 2018 Feb 19.

Abstract

Background: Elderly patients are at elevated risk of both ischemic and bleeding complications after an acute coronary syndrome and display higher on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity compared with younger patients. Prasugrel 5 mg provides more predictable platelet inhibition compared with clopidogrel in the elderly, suggesting the possibility of reducing ischemic events without increasing bleeding.

Methods: In a multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded end point trial, we compared a once-daily maintenance dose of prasugrel 5 mg with the standard clopidogrel 75 mg in patients >74 years of age with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary end point was the composite of mortality, myocardial infarction, disabling stroke, and rehospitalization for cardiovascular causes or bleeding within 1 year. The study was designed to demonstrate superiority of prasugrel 5 mg over clopidogrel 75 mg.

Results: Enrollment was interrupted, according to prespecified criteria, after a planned interim analysis, when 1443 patients (40% women; mean age, 80 years) had been enrolled with a median follow-up of 12 months, because of futility for efficacy. The primary end point occurred in 121 patients (17%) with prasugrel and 121 (16.6%) with clopidogrel (hazard ratio, 1.007; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-1.30; P=0.955). Definite/probable stent thrombosis rates were 0.7% with prasugrel versus 1.9% with clopidogrel (odds ratio, 0.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-1.00; P=0.06). Bleeding Academic Research Consortium types 2 and greater rates were 4.1% with prasugrel versus 2.7% with clopidogrel (odds ratio, 1.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-3.16; P=0.18).

Conclusions: The present study in elderly patients with acute coronary syndromes showed no difference in the primary end point between reduced-dose prasugrel and standard-dose clopidogrel. However, the study should be interpreted in light of the premature termination of the trial.

Clinical trial registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01777503.

Keywords: acute coronary syndrome; aged; percutaneous coronary intervention; platelet aggregation inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / mortality*
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / therapy*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Clopidogrel / administration & dosage*
  • Clopidogrel / adverse effects
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced
  • Hemorrhage / mortality
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myocardial Infarction / mortality*
  • Myocardial Infarction / therapy*
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
  • Prasugrel Hydrochloride / administration & dosage*
  • Prasugrel Hydrochloride / adverse effects
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Clopidogrel
  • Prasugrel Hydrochloride

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01777503