Rotational atherectomy (RA) prior to angioplasty is the reference treatment for highly calcified atherosclerotic coronary lesions. It aims at fragmenting calcium deposits into microscopic particulates to allow less hazardous coronary revascularization and stenting. The main drawback associated with the procedure is the subsequent enhancement of platelet aggregation which promotes the distal embolization of micro-thrombi and atherosclerotic fragments. In order to limit these complications, a double antiplatelet therapy is required (generally Clopidogrel + Aspirin) when RA procedures are performed. Clopidogrel inhibits the protein P2Y12 which is a cornerstone in platelet aggregation. Ticagrelor is a new antiplatelet agent that provides faster and greater P2Y12 inhibition than Clopidogrel. It is currently indicated to reduce risk of cardiovascular events in patients hospitalized for coronary revascularization after an acute coronary syndrome. Ticagrelor has never been evaluated so far in stable coronary patients treated with rotational atherectomy prior to angioplasty.

Rotational atherectomy (RA) prior to angioplasty is the reference treatment for highly calcified atherosclerotic coronary lesions. It aims at fragmenting calcium deposits into microscopic particulates to allow less hazardous coronary revascularization and stenting. The main drawback associated with the procedure is the subsequent enhancement of platelet aggregation which promotes the distal embolization of micro-thrombi and atherosclerotic fragments. In order to limit these complications, a double antiplatelet therapy is required (generally Clopidogrel + Aspirin) when RA procedures are performed. Clopidogrel inhibits the protein P2Y12 which is a cornerstone in platelet aggregation. It is characterized by a slow and variable transformation of a prodrug into an active metabolite and by a remaining risk of thrombosis and myocardial infarction. Ticagrelor is a new antiplatelet agent that provides faster and greater P2Y12 inhibition than Clopidogrel. It is currently indicated to reduce risk of cardiovascular events in patients hospitalized for coronary revascularization after an acute coronary syndrome. Ticagrelor has never been evaluated so far in stable coronary patients treated with rotational atherectomy prior to angioplasty.

Inclusion criteria :

• Stable coronary patient, or patient presenting with a non ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome without troponin elevation, or with troponin back to normal,
• Patient treated with a combination of Aspirin + Clopidogrel before hospitalization at the study center,
• Patient with at least one highly calcified coronary lesion eligible for rotational atherectomy prior to angioplasty,
• Patient agreed to participate after full information on the study.

Exclusion criteria :

• Acute coronary syndrome with ST-elevation,

• Plasma troponin level higher than 3 times the upper limit of the laboratory,

• Lesion located on a coronary bypass,

• Coronary thrombus diagnosed by angiography,

• Coronary dissection diagnosed by angiography,

• Left ventricular ejection fraction lower than 30%,

• Contra-indication to use Ticagrelor or Clopidogrel as listed in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC, annex 1 & 2):

  • Known hypersensitivity to the active substance or to the excipients,
  • Active pathological bleeding,
  • History of intracranial hemorrhage,
  • Moderate to severe hepatic impairment,
  • Co-administration with a strong cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitor (e.g. ketoconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, ritonavir, and atazanavir),

• Other conditions at increased risk of bleeding:

  • Congenital or acquired coagulation disorder
  • Gastroduodenal bleeding within past 6 months,
  • Recent major trauma or surgery within past 30 days,
  • Concomitant use of fibrinolytics, oral anticoagulation, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs,

• Significant anemia,

• Increased risk of bradycardia,

• History of asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,

• Uric acid nephropathy,

• Ischemic stroke within 7 days,

• Heredity galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption,

• Concomitant use of a strong CYP3A4 inducer

• Concomitant use of CYP3A4 substrates with narrow therapeutic indices (e.g. cisapride, ergot alkaloids), simvastatin at a dose greater than 40 mg/d,

• Concomitant use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors,

• Concomitant use of digoxin without close clinical and laboratory monitoring,

• Contra-indication to use Aspirin,

• Breast-feeding,

• Pregnancy,

• Adult protected by the law,

• Patient participating in another biomedical research.