Prasugrel versus ticagrelor in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention; a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Abstract Background Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with ASA and a P2Y12 inhibitor is the cornerstone of anti-thrombotic therapy for patients undergoing PCI. The 2014 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) guidelines on myocardial revascularization recommend DAPT with prasugrel or ticagrelor over clopidogrel, however, a comparison between the efficacy in reducing all cause mortality and major bleeding of prasugrel versus ticagrelor is sparse. Objectives To perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) in the determination of the efficacy and safety of prasugrel as compared to ticagrelor among ACS patients undergoing PCI. Methods Extensive search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Ovid, EMBASE, Google scholar, Medline and Herdin was done up to November 2019. Studies were limited to RCTs comparing ticagrelor vs. prasugrel among acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing PCI. Outcome measures include all-cause mortality and major bleeding. Statistical analysis was done using Review manager V5.3. Results Thirteen RCTs with 6086 patients were included in this study. Pooled analysis using random effects model showed no difference in reduction of all-cause mortality between prasugrel versus ticagrelor (92 vs 107, RR of 0.77, 95% CI of 0.58–1.02, p-value of 0.07, I2 of 0%). Likewise, major bleeding (using BARC and TIMI as defined by the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium scale and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction definitio) was similar between prasugrel and ticagrelor (91 vs 111, RR of 0.83, 95% CI of 0.63–1.09, p-value of 0.18, I2 of 0%). Conclusion There were no significant differences in the reduction of all cause mortality and major bleeding among ACS patients undergoing PCI receiving prasugrel versus ticagrelor. Our study may support the equal recommendation of both P2Y12 inhibitors as in the above guidelines. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None