Efficacy and Safety of Ticagrelor Over Time in Patients With Prior MI in PEGASUS-TIMI 54

Marc S. SabatineChair, TIMI Study Group, Brigham and Women's Hospital

“With the addition of this antiplatelet drug, the curves start to diverge early, and they continue to separate out over time, further supporting the notion of long-term dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and ticagrelor in these individuals. The benefit of ticagrelor was consistent for both the fatal and nonfatal components of the primary endpoint. It was consistent over the duration of treatment and amongst the major clinical subgroups.”

Marc P. BonacaInvestigator, TIMI Study Group, Brigham and Women's Hospital

“This analysis pointed to important patterns with regards to common adverse events associated with ticagrelor in the context of clinical benefit. Physicians must consider the overall risks, including higher rates of bleeding and dyspnea particularly within the first year. For patients at increased risk for recurrent cardiovascular events in the long-term, ticagrelor can provide an important benefit.”

Marc S. SabatineChair, TIMI Study Group, Brigham and Women's Hospital

“Now that we have the evidence, when faced with a patient who has had a heart attack, based on these data, I would continue treatment with ticagrelor as long as the patient tolerated it.”