P2553Combined with ticagrelor, 50 mg aspirin daily can reduce bleeding events without increasing ischaemic risk compared with 75–100 mg aspirin daily in coronary artery disease patients
Abstract Aim To investigate the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor combined with a lower dose of aspirin than that recommended by guidelines. Methods Hospitalized patients received ticagrelor (90 mg twice daily) plus aspirin (50–100 mg/day) for up to 12 months. The rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), bleeding events and ticagrelor adherence were compared among the groups treated with 50 mg and 75–100 mg aspirin. Results MACE risk was not significantly different between the two groups (OR=0.829, 95% CI: 0.279–2.461, P=0.736). However, 75–100 mg aspirin was associated with a greater risk of bleeding events (OR=1.524, 95% CI: 1.082–2.146, P=0.016), particularly mild and moderate bleeding events (OR=1.480, 95% CI: 1.047–2.092, P=0.026). Moreover, lower-dose aspirin was associated with a lower rate of ticagrelor withdrawal (OR=1.850, 95% CI: 1.025–3.339, P=0.041), mainly because of the decrease in ticagrelor withdrawal due to bleeding (OR=4.565, 95% CI: 1.081–19.270, P=0.039). MACEs and bleeding events within 1 year Endpoint 75–100 mg (n=744) 50 mg (n=188) Unadjusted (95% CI) P value Adjusted# (95% CI) P value MACEs 18 (2.4) 4 (2.1) 0.876 (0.296–2.588) * 0.876 0.829 (0.279–2.461)* 0.736 Bleeding 311 (41.8) 60 (31.9) 1.532 (1.091–2.152)** 0.014 1.524 (1.082–2.146)** 0.016 Severe bleeding 14 (1.9) 2 (1.1) 1.784 (0.402–7.916)** 0.447 1.807 (0.405–8.069)** 0.438 Mild bleeding 297 (39.9) 58 (30.8) 1.489 (1.057–2.098)** 0.023 1.480 (1.047–2.092)** 0.026 #Adjusted for age, sex, LDL-C, hs-CRP, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and MI history. *Hazard ratio (high vs low); **Odds ratio (high vs low). Conclusion Among patients who took ticagrelor (90 mg twice daily), 50 mg aspirin daily is associated with a lower rate of bleeding events and ticagrelor withdrawal but does not increase the MACE risk compared with 75–100 mg aspirin daily. Acknowledgement/Funding The study was supported by AstraZeneca's fund for the TIFU study (ESR-15-11199).