Dual antiplatelet therapy (PEGASUS) vs. dual pathway (COMPASS): a head-to-head in vitro comparison

Platelets. 2022 Feb 17;33(2):298-303. doi: 10.1080/09537104.2021.1904134. Epub 2021 Apr 15.

Abstract

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor is prescribed for 1-year after myocardial infarction. Two clinical strategies are considered at 1-year: continuation of DAPT or "Dual Pathway" (DP), using aspirin and rivaroxaban. No head-to-head comparative studies exist. In our in-vitro study, 24 samples of donor blood were treated with clinically proven concentrations of 5 antithrombotic regimens: aspirin, ticagrelor, rivaroxaban, DAPT, and DP. Thrombosis was analyzed using the Total Thrombus Analysis System (T-TAS) to measure both antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects. Flow cytometry was performed to quantify platelet activation. DAPT was the most potent antiplatelet regimen, delaying thrombus onset (p < .0001) and reducing thrombogenicity (p < .0001), relative to control. DP did not delay thrombus formation relative to aspirin alone (p = .69). DP was the most potent anticoagulant regimen, delaying thrombus onset (p < .0001) and reducing thrombogenicity (p < .0001), relative to control. DP showed synergistic antithrombotic effects by delaying thrombus onset (p < .0001) and reducing thrombogenicity (p = .0003), relative to rivaroxaban alone. Flow cytometry showed only DAPT (p = .0023) reduced platelet activation. DP treatment demonstrated synergistic antithrombotic effects over rivaroxaban alone, but no additional antiplatelet synergism over aspirin alone.

Keywords: Direct oral anticoagulants; dual antiplatelet therapy; myocardial infarction; percutaneous coronary intervention; total thrombus analysis system.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors