Does Ticagrelor Improve Endothelial Function

Ticagrelor is a P2Y12 receptor antagonist with proven clinical benefit in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Apart from its principal antiplatelet action, pleiotropic effects have been implicated in the clinical profile of ticagrelor, including a potentially beneficial impact on endothelial function. In light of the common presence and prognostic value of endothelial dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease, several clinical studies have investigated the postulated effect of ticagrelor on endothelial function, yielding conflicting results. Limitations of the relevant studies as well as substantial differences in patient population, study design, and methods may account for these controversial findings. Most of these studies, however, support a beneficial impact of ticagrelor on endothelial function, which seems to be significant in the higher risk patients. In order to elucidate this effect, further research efforts should aim to clarify how quickly does endothelial function respond to tic...