Efficacy and safety of ticagrelor monotherapy in patients following percutaneous coronary intervention: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND We aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety ticagrelor monotherapy following percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS Online databases were searched for relevant studies (published between the years 2015 and 2020) comparing 1-month Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy with 12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy following percutaneous coronary intervention. Primary outcomes assessed efficacy whereas secondary outcomes assessed safety. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on a random effect model were calculated and the analysis was carried out by the RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS Only 6 studies were selected for this meta-analytical research. The meta-analysis results: MI(OR:0.96, 95% CI:0.86-1.06, P = .40), stroke (OR:1.04, 95% CI: 0.87-1.25, P = .68), stent thrombosis (OR: 0.91,95% CI:0.76-1.10,P = .32),New-Q Wave (OR:0.85,95% CI: 0.72-1.00, P = .05), all cause death (OR:0.91, 95% CI: 0.87-0.96, P < .0001), death from cardiovascular (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.58-0.99, P = .04), revascularization (OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.87-0.99, P = .03). Ticagrelor monotherapy was associated with a significantly lower rate of myocardial Infarction (MI), stroke, stent thrombosis, all cause death, death from cardiovascular and revascularization (OR:0.91,95% CI:0.87-0.96, P < .0001) when compared to DAPT. Besides, DAPT was associated with a significantly higher rate of BARC3 or 5 bleeding (OR:0.85, 95% CI: 0.68-1.06; P = .16) when compared to ticagrelor. When bleeding was further subdivided, minor or major bleeding was also significantly higher with DAPT (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.41-1.27; P = .26). GUSTO moderate or severe bleeding was also significantly higher with DAPT (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.39-1.52; P = .45). CONCLUSION Ticagrelor monotherapy after short-term dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) can optimize ischemic and bleeding risks. And, it can reduce the occurrence of events outcome (MI, revascularization, stroke, stent thrombosis).