Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a P2Y 12 inhibitor is the treatment of choice for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with acute coronary syndromes and for those undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions. The availability of different oral P2Y 12 inhibitors (clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor) has enabled physicians to contemplate switching among therapies because of specific clinical scenarios. The recent introduction of an intravenous P2Y 12 inhibitor (cangrelor) further adds to the multitude of modalities and settings in which switching therapies may occur. In clinical practice, it is not uncommon to switch P2Y 12 inhibitor, and switching may be attributed to a variety of factors. However, concerns about the safety of switching between these agents have emerged. Practice guidelines have not fully elaborated on how to switch therapies, leaving clinicians with limited guidance on when and how to switch therapies when needed. This prompted the development of this expert consensus document by key leaders from North America and Europe with expertise in basic, translational, and clinical sciences in the field of antiplatelet therapy. This expert consensus provides an overview of the pharmacology of P2Y 12 inhibitors, different modalities and definitions of switching, and available literature and recommendations for switching between P2Y 12 inhibitors.
Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a platelet P2Y 12 receptor antagonist (P2Y 12 inhibitor) is the treatment of choice for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and for those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).1,2 Clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor are the most commonly used oral platelet P2Y 12 inhibitors; the use of ticlopidine, the first available P2Y 12 inhibitor, has been largely abandoned.
3Clopidogrel is the only oral P2Y 12 inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with stable coronary artery disease.1,2 Although all 3 agents have an indication for use in ACS, current guidelines support the preferential use of prasugrel and ticagrelor over clopidogrel because of their superior net clinical benefits.1,2,4-6 Nevertheless, clopidogrel remains widely prescribed. 7,8 The availability of different oral P2Y 12 inhibitors has enabled physicians to contemplate switching among therapies because of specific clinical scenarios. 9 The recent introduction of an intravenous P2Y 12 inhibitor (ie, cangrelor) further adds to the multitude of modalities and settings in which switching therapies may occur. 6 A variety of factors may contribute to the decision to switch, including the clinical setting, patient characteristics, concomitant therapies, costs, social issues, development of side effects, medication adherence, and patient/physician preference. Therefore, it is not uncommon to change P2Y 12 inhibitor. However, concerns about the safety of switching between these agents have emerged. At present, data from large-scale clinical studie...