Long-term outcomes for women versus men with unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction managed medically without revascularization: insights from the TaRgeted platelet Inhibition to cLarify the Optimal strateGy to medicallY manage Acute Coronary Syndromes trial

Am Heart J. 2015 Oct;170(4):695-705.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2015.06.011. Epub 2015 Jun 20.

Abstract

Background: Women with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are less likely to undergo invasive revascularization than men, but sex-specific differences in long-term outcomes and platelet reactivity among medically managed ACS patients remain uncertain. We examined sex-specific differences in long-term ischemic and bleeding outcomes and platelet reactivity for medically managed ACS patients randomized to prasugrel versus clopidogrel plus aspirin.

Methods: Data from 9,326 patients enrolled in TRILOGY ACS were analyzed to determine differences in long-term ischemic and bleeding outcomes between women (n = 3,650 [39%]) and men (n = 5,676 [61%]) randomized to prasugrel 10 mg/d (5 mg/d for patients ≥75 years and/or <60 kg) versus clopidogrel 75 mg/d. Sex-specific differences in 30-day platelet reactivity were analyzed in 2,564 (27%) patients participating in a platelet function substudy.

Results: Compared with men, women were older, weighed less, were less likely to have prior myocardial infarction or revascularization, and had lower baseline creatinine clearance and hemoglobin level values. Rates of the composite of cardiovascular death/myocardial infarction/stroke (20.2% vs 19.1%; P = .56), all-cause mortality (12.2% vs 11.7%; P = .88), and Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Arteries severe/life-threatening/moderate bleeding (3.8% vs 2.8%; P = .74) through 30 months were similar in women versus men. After adjustment, women had significantly lower risk for ischemic outcomes and all-cause mortality. There were no sex-specific, treatment-related differences in 30-day platelet reactivity.

Conclusions: Long-term ischemic and bleeding outcomes in medically managed ACS patients were similar for women versus men, as was treatment-related platelet reactivity. Women had a higher baseline risk profile and, after adjustment, significantly lower risk of the primary composite end point and all-cause death through 30 months.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00699998.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / complications
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Aged
  • Angina, Unstable / complications
  • Angina, Unstable / drug therapy*
  • Clopidogrel
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis
  • Myocardial Infarction / drug therapy*
  • Myocardial Infarction / etiology
  • Myocardial Revascularization
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Prasugrel Hydrochloride / therapeutic use*
  • Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ticlopidine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ticlopidine / therapeutic use
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists
  • Clopidogrel
  • Prasugrel Hydrochloride
  • Ticlopidine

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00699998