Infectious complications in patients receiving ticagrelor or clopidogrel before coronary artery bypass grafting

Publication date: Available online 26 September 2019Source: Journal of Hospital InfectionAuthor(s): Magnus Dalén, Fausto BiancariSummaryThe antiplatelet agent ticagrelor has recently been found to have bactericidal activity demonstrated in vitro and in a in vivo mouse model, which warrant further clinical investigations. The aim of this study was to evaluate infectious complications after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients preoperatively treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel. In a multicenter trial, all adult patients who were preoperatively treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel prior to isolated primary coronary artery bypass grafting were eligible. Propensity score matching was used. Outcome measures were any sternal wound infection, deep sternal wound infection, and any in-hospital use of postoperative antibiotics. Of 2311 patients who were included, 1293 (55.9%) received clopidogrel and 1018 (44.1%) ticagrelor preoperatively. In both overall and propensity score matched analyses, ticagrelor was associated with a similar incidence of infectious complications compared to clopidogrel. Our findings do not support a clinically relevant bactericidal effect of ticagrelor in patients undergoing CABG.
Source: Journal of Hospital Infection - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research