Ticagrelor versus Clopidogrel in the Dual Antiplatelet Regimen for Intracranial Stenting or Flow-Diverter Treatment for Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms: A Single-Center Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ticagrelor is a novel P2Y12 antagonist, and little is known about its efficacy and safety in the endovascular treatment of aneurysms. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel for stent-assisted coiling or flow-diversion treatment in patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 2003 to February 2019, two hundred one patients (mean age, 57.5 years; 156 women) with 233 unruptured aneurysms underwent stent-assisted coiling or flow-diversion treatment. All patients received antiplatelet therapy of aspirin plus clopidogrel (clopidogrel group, 121 patients with 140 aneurysms) or aspirin plus ticagrelor (ticagrelor group, 80 patients with 93 aneurysms). The clinical and radiologic data in each group were retrospectively reviewed and compared. RESULTS: = .479). CONCLUSIONS: Ticagrelor appears to be as effective and safe as clopidogrel in stent-assisted coiling or flow-diversion treatment for unruptured cerebral aneurysms.