P2815Antiplatelet therapy with cangrelor in patients undergoing surgery after coronary stent implantation: a real-world bridging protocol experience

Abstract Background Perioperative management of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients deemed at high thrombotic risk undergoing non-deferrable surgery remains poorly defined. Cangrelor represents a potential treatment option as a “bridge” from discontinuation of oral P2Y12 receptor antagonists to surgical procedures, but data in this setting are still scant. Purpose We sought to describe a real-world experience of a bridging protocol using cangrelor for patients referred to relevant bleeding risk surgery requiring withdrawal of DAPT. Methods We collected data from 7 Italian centers on patients with previous PCI, still on DAPT, undergoing non-deferrable surgery which required discontinuation of one or both antiplatelet agents. A standardized bridging protocol using cangrelor infusion before and eventually after surgery was applied (Figure 1). Results Between December 2017 and January 2019, a total of 18 patients (mean age 70±10 years; male 85%) were enrolled. In the majority (89%) of patients, the index PCI was performed due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 2±1.7 stents per patient were implanted. All patients required non-deferrable, intermediate-high bleeding risk surgery as pulmonary lobectomy, colectomy, endoscopic bladder surgery, paranasal sinus surgery, coronary artery by-pass surgery and valvular repair, hip replacement, endoscopy sphincterotomy. High thrombotic risk categories included PCI time <1 month, SCA time <3 months, stent failure occurrence, previous Absorb BVS implantation. Due to the surgical bleeding risk, discontinuation of P2Y12 inhibitor was required 5 days before surgery (ticagrelor, n=13; prasugrel=1; clopidogrel, n=5). All patients but 1 maintained aspirin through the perioperative phase. Cangrelor infusion was started at a bridging dose (0.75 mcg/kg/min) 3 days before planned surgery and was discontinued 6.9±1.5 hours before. After surgery, drainages were left in all patients but 3. In 56% of patients, cangrelor was resumed within 24 hours from surgery (mean time 9±7 hours) for a mean of 36±38 hours. Drainages were removed after discontinuation of cangrelor, in order to reduce bleeding complications. Within 2 hours from post-operative cangrelor discontinuation, a 300 mg clopidogrel loading dose was administered. No major ischemic adverse outcomes occurred during hospital stay and up to 30 days follow-up. The mean Hb drop was 2±1.8 g/dl, 7 patients received blood transfusions consistent with the type of surgeries and no life-threatening or fatal bleeding occurred. Figure 1. Standardized bridging protocol. Conclusions Peri-operative bridge therapy with cangrelor is a feasible approach for stented patients at high thrombotic risk referred to non-deferrable surgery requiring DAPT discontinuation. Larger studies are warranted to support the safety of this strategy.