CardioSource WorldNews December 2014 | Page 3

NOW UPDATED 2014 AHA/ACC NSTE-ACS GUIDELINE BRILINTA PREFERRED OVER CLOPIDOGREL FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF NSTE-ACS (CLASS IIa)3 Class IIa (LOE: B) recommendation for the preferred use of BRILINTA® (ticagrelor) tablets over clopidogrel in NSTE-ACS patients with early invasive or ischemia-guided strategy or receiving a coronary stent ¶ Class I (LOE: B) recommendation for BRILINTA as a treatment option in the management of NSTE-ACS patients¶# BLEEDING AT 12 MONTHS, there was no significant difference in Total Major Bleeding (which includes Fatal and Life-threatening bleeding) for BRILINTA plus aspirin vs clopidogrel plus aspirin (11.6% vs 11.2%).†† There was a somewhat greater risk of Non–CABG-related Major plus Minor Bleeding for BRILINTA plus aspirin vs clopidogrel plus aspirin (8.7% vs 7.0%) and Non–CABGrelated Major Bleeding (4.5% vs 3.8%), respectively.†† PLATO trial did not show an advantage for BRILINTA compared with clopidogrel for CABG-related Bleeding (Total Major 85.8% vs 86.9% and Fatal/Life-threatening 48.1% vs 47.9%, respectively). When antiplatelet therapy was stopped 5 days before CABG, Major Bleeding occurred in 75% of patients treated with BRILINTA and 79% of patients on clopidogrel.1†† WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Moderate Hepatic Impairment: Consider the risks and benefits of treatment, noting the probable increase in exposure to ticagrelor • Premature discontinuation increases the risk of MI, stent thrombosis, and death • Dyspnea was reported in 14% of patients treated with BRILINTA and in 8% of patients taking clopidogrel. Dyspnea resulting from BRILINTA is self-limiting. Rule out other causes • BRILINTA is metabolized by CYP3A4/5. Avoid use with strong CYP3A inhibitors and potent CYP3A inducers. Avoid simvastatin and lovastatin doses >40 mg • Monitor digoxin levels with initiation of, or any change in, BRILINTA therapy PROVEN SUPERIOR TO CLOPIDOGREL IN REDUCING CV DEATH AT 12 MONTHS PLATO CV death secondary end point in ACS patients: RRR with BRILINTA plus aspirin was 21% (ARR 1.1%) vs clopidogrel plus aspirin1§ INDICATIONS BRILINTA is indicated to reduce the rate of thrombotic cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (unstable angina, non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction,