Ticagrelor Treatment is Associated With Increased Coronary Flow Reserve in Survivors of Myocardial Infarction

<p> Ticagrelor Treatment is Associated With Increased Coronary Flow Reserve in Survivors of Myocardial Infarction https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlc.2023.03.010 Abstract Background: The pleiotropic action of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/ticagrelor">ticagrelor</a>, with effects in addition to platelet inhibition, has been shown to improve <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/endothelial-function">endothelial function</a> in patients with <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/coronary-artery-disease">coronary artery disease</a>. These positive effects are possibly adenosine mediated. This study investigated the association of ticagrelor therapy and coronary artery flow reserve in survivors of myocardial infarction (MI).   Methods: This was an exploratory, cross-sectional, open substudy of PROFLOW. High-risk individuals with a history of MI were identified. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/coronary-flow-reserve">Coronary flow reserve</a> (CFR) was measured non-invasively in the left anterior descending artery using transthoracic <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/doppler-echocardiography">Doppler echocardiography</a>. Coronary flow velocity was measured at rest and at maximal flow after induction of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/hyperaemia">hyperaemia</a> by <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/intravenous-drug-administration">intravenous infusion</a> of adenosine at 140 μg/kg/min. Patients receiving ticagrelor (n=75) were compared with those not receiving ticagrelor (n=506), using simple and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/multiple-linear-regression-analysis">multiple linear regression</a> models. Most patients in both groups were treated with <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/acetylsalicylic-acid">aspi