Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) is defined as limb pain that occurs at rest, or impending limb loss that is caused by severe compromise of blood flow to the affected extremity. CLI is a major cause of death and disability (secondary to myocardial infarction, stroke and amputation). The mortality in patients with CLI approaches 13-25% and 50% at one and five years respectively. High on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) in patients treated with aspirin and clopidogrel is associated with increased risk of recurrent cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary interventions and coronary syndromes. Preliminary studies suggest that the prevalence of HPR in patients with critical limb ischemia treated with aspirin and clopidogrel is as high a 78.5%. In patients with coronary artery disease ticagrelor overcomes non-responsiveness to clopidogrel. However, the antiplatelet effect of ticagrelor in patients with critical limb ischemia is unknown.

Study Aim: This pilot study aims to investigate platelet function after switching from clopidogrel to ticagrelor in patients with critical limb ischemia.

Fifty patients with diagnosis of CLI (Rutherford class IV-VI) treated with clopidogrel 75 mg and aspirin 81 mg daily will be tested for inhibition of platelet aggregation using the VerifyNow P2Y12 and VASP assays before and 6±1 hours after their daily clopidogrel dose. All patients will then be switched from clopidogrel to ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily for two weeks and the VerifyNow and Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein (VASP) platelet reactivity assays repeated, samples will be collected before and 6±1 hours after the last ticagrelor dose. For exploratory analysis, patients will be divided in two groups based on the P2Y12 reaction units (PRU): Group 1. High on treatment platelet reactivity on clopidogrel (HPR), defined as P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) ≥208 and Group 2. Appropriate platelet inhibition on clopidogrel (API), defined as P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) <208. If subjects are withdrawn from the study prior to completion due to the high co-morbidity rate of this population, additional subjects will be enrolled to reach a total of 50 completed subjects for data analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with diagnosis of CLI (Rutherford class IV, V and VI) on continuous dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin 81 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg daily for at least 14+2 days .

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100 × 103/μl), hemoglobin <10 g/dL, use of an oral anticoagulant (warfarin) or low molecular weight heparin within 14 days, GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors, or fibrinolytic drugs within 30 days. Pregnancy, <18 or >80 years of age, current smoking (>1 pack per day), concomitant therapy with strong cytochrome P450 3A inhibitors or inducers within 14 days, concomitant antithrombotic therapy other than aspirin within 14 days, hypercoaguable states. History of medication non-compliance, drug or alcohol abuse within 2 years. Acute coronary syndrome or coronary drug-eluting stenting within 1 year. Peripheral vascular revascularization procedures (surgical or endovascular) and/or amputation within one month. Contraindications for ticagrelor including: hypersensitivity to ticagrelor or any of the excipients, Active pathological bleeding, History of intracranial hemorrhage and Severe hepatic impairment.

The study analysis was based on the 50 patients who completed the study

Two weeks

The adverse event and/or serious adverse event, used to collect adverse event information, adheres to the clinicaltrials.gov definition