Efficacy and Safety of Ticagrelor versus Clopidogrel in Dialysis Patients with Coronary Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: The optimal antiplatelet therapy for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients on chronic dialysis presenting with acute or chronic coronary syndromes (ACS or CCS) remains uncertain. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety endpoints of ticagrelor and clopidogrel in ESKD patients requiring dialysis and presenting with ACS or CCS. (2) Methods: Studies were included comparing ticagrelor and clopidogrel in ESKD patients on chronic dialysis with ACS or CCS. The primary composite efficacy outcome was a combination of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, recurrent myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization, and ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. The primary safety outcome was major and non-major bleeding events. (3) Results: Five observational studies met the eligibility criteria. The pooled analysis showed no significant difference in the primary composite efficacy outcome between ticagrelor and clopidogrel (p = 0.40). Similarly, the 2 groups had no significant differences in all-cause mortality (p = 0.82) or cardiovascular mortality (p = 0.79). Ticagrelor did not show a significantly different risk of coronary revascularization (p = 0.35) or recurrent myocardial infarction (p = 0.41) compared to clopidogrel. Also, the risk of stroke was similar (p = 0.21). The 2 groups had no significant difference in the primary composite safety outcome (p = 0.22) or major bleeding events (p = 0.27). (4) Conclusions: In ESKD patients on chronic dialysis with ACS or CCS, there was no significant difference in efficacy or safety outcomes between ticagrelor and clopidogrel. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the optimal antiplatelet therapy in this population.