Cardiac surgery: Study highlights the effectiveness of Cangrelor in PCI patients

23.10.2015 12:50

The data from the secondary analysis of the Champion Phoenix study were presented at the ESC Congress 2015. The study compared the intravenous platelet inhibitor "Kengrexal" (Cangrelor) with the oral drug clopidogrel. Included were 11,145 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

“Kengrexal” from The Medicines Company is a fast-acting antiplatelet drug whose effects wear off quickly after discontinuation. Data show a consistent reduction in the risk of ischemic events of more than 20% with cangrelor treatment. The primary endpoint of ischemic events included death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and repeat revascularization in patients treated via either a femoral or radial approach. The full publication of this subgroup analysis will appear in the European Heart Journal.

“The Champion program, including the Phoenix trial, has demonstrated the benefits of using a potent, rapid-acting intravenous P2Y12 inhibitor over slower-acting clopidogrel in patients undergoing PCI,” said Dr. Efthymios N. Deliargyris, Vice President, Global Medical Director, Interventional Cardiology of The Medicines Company. “The presentation at the ESC Congress confirms the effectiveness of Cangrelor in patients treated using radial access and highlights the clinical synergy that can be achieved when optimal vascular access technology is combined with modern medicine.”

Compared with clopidogrel, cangrelor demonstrated a 21% reduction in death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, and stent thrombosis in patients treated via the femoral approach. 24% reduction was achieved in patients treated via the radial approach.

Of particular importance is the frequency of heavy or moderate GUSTObleeding
were generally low, with no significant differences between cangrelor and clopidogrel (0.7% for cangrelor and 0.4% for clopidogrel in the femoral approach; 0.3% for cangrelor and 0.2% for clopidogrel in the radial approach).

“Cangrelor demonstrated similar effectiveness and safety in PCI patients regardless of vascular access site,” said Dr. Deepak L. Bhatt, MPH, Executive Director Interventional Cardiovascular Programs at Brigham and Women's Hospital Heart & Vascular Center and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. “These results are particularly relevant given that radial vascular access for PCI is increasing worldwide.”

Cangrelor has been included in the new European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome in patients without sustained ST-segment elevation as an option in P2Y12 inhibitor-naïve patients undergoing PCI. The guidelines also reinforce the recommendation for the use of the radial approach in coronary angiography and PCI.