Impact of P2Y12 Inhibitors on Thrombus Burden in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION AND AIM: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of P2Y12 inhibitors administered at the time of admission to the emergency department in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention on the thrombus score in the culprit lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study planned to compare the pre-procedural thrombus scores of 225 patients who presented with STEMI underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention, and received different P2Y12 inhibitors within 2 hours after the onset of chest pain. RESULTS: A total of 225 patients were included in our study. Among them, 72 patients received clopidogrel, 85 received ticagrelor, and 68 received prasugrel as the P2Y12 inhibitor. The pre-procedural Grade 5 thrombus was significantly lower in the ticagrelor group compared to the other groups (Clopidogrel 77.78%, Ticagrelor 61.18%, Prasugrel 77.94%; p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, ticagrelor among the pre-procedurally loaded P2Y12 inhibitors was found to be superior in terms of early thrombus intensity, and these results are thought to be associated with the early onset antiplatelet effect of ticagrelor. Keywords: ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor, thrombus score