Effects of Low-dose Ticagrelor vs. Clopidogrel in Stable Patients Undergoing Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Stable CAD undergoing elective PCI;
2. Male or females, Age ≥ 18 years old;
3. Troponin negative before coronary angiography;
4. On treatment with low-dose aspirin (81mg od) and clopidogrel for at least 24 hours after index PCI;
5. ABCD-GENE score greater or equal than 10.

Troponin negative is defined as hs-cTn below the URL for the laboratory (Male \< 22 ng/L; Female \< 14 ng/L) or modestly positive hs-cTn (Male: 22-99 ng/L; Female: 14-99 ng/L) flat or decreasing from hour 0 to 3.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Myocardial infarction at the time of index PCI;
2. On treatment with prasugrel or ticagrelor;
3. Documented hypersensitivity to clopidogrel;
4. Use of an intravenous antiplatelet therapy (i.e., cangrelor or GPI) in the prior 24 hours;
5. Concomitant therapy with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or CYP3A4 substrates;
6. Use of oral anticoagulant therapy;
7. History of previous intracerebral bleed at any time;
8. Active pathological bleeding;
9. Documented hypersensitivity to ticagrelor;
10. Increased risk of bradycardic events (e.g., known sick sinus syndrome, second or third degree AV block or previous documented syncope suspected to be due to bradycardia) unless treated with a pacemaker;
11. Known severe liver disease;
12. Known platelet count \<80x106/mL;
13. Known hemoglobin \<9 g/dL;
14. Women of child-bearing potential (i.e., those who are not chemically or surgically sterilized or who are not post-menopause) who are not willing to use a medically accepted method of contraception that is considered reliable in the judgment of the investigator OR who have a positive pregnancy test at enrollment or randomization OR women who are breast-feeding.
15. Inability to provide written informed consent.