The purpose of this study is to evaluate differences in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ticagrelor and its active metabolite between patients who received ticagrelor and morphine followed by metoclopramide versus patients treated with ticagrelor and morphine alone for unstable angina pectoris.

According to contemporary guidelines, ticagrelor is a recommended antiplatelet agent in acute coronary syndromes, including unstable angina pectoris. Quick platelet inhibition plays pivotal role in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes. As evidenced in the IMPRESSION study, analgesia with morphine delays platelet inhibition in patients with acute myocardial infarction. On the other hand, the results of the MOJITO study prove that administration of crushed ticagrelor tablets leads to quicker platelet blockage.

Taking the above into consideration, we created a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study aiming to evaluate differences between patients who received crushed ticagrelor orally followed by either 1) a combination of intravenous morphine and metoclopramide or 2) intravenous morphine alone.

The primary study outcome is time needed for ticagrelor and its active metabolite to reach their maximum plasma concentration in each study arm. Secondary outcomes include ticagrelor and AR-C124900XX maximum concentration and the area under the plasma concentration curve for both agents.

Platelet reactivity will be assessed with the Multiplate Analyzer in all study participants at nine predefined time points.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Provision of informed consent prior to any study specific procedures
• Diagnosis of unstable angina
• Male or non-pregnant female, aged 18-80 years
• Provision of informed consent for angiography and PCI
• GRACE score <140 pts

Exclusion Criteria:

• treatment with ticlopidine, clopidogrel, prasugrel or ticagrelor within 14 days before the study enrollment
• current treatment with morphine or any opioid "mi" receptor agonist
• hypersensitivity to ticagrelor
• current treatment with oral anticoagulant or chronic therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin
• active bleeding
• history of intracranial hemorrhage
• recent gastrointestinal bleeding (within 30 days)
• history of coagulation disorders
• platelet count less than <100 x10^3/mcl
• hemoglobin concentration less than 10.0 g/dl
• history of moderate or severe hepatic impairment
• history of major surgery or severe trauma (within 3 months)
• risk of bradycardic events as judged by the investigator
• second or third degree atrioventricular block during screening for eligibility
• history of asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• kidney disease requiring dialysis
• manifest infection or inflammatory state
• Killip class III or IV during screening for eligibility
• respiratory failure
• history of severe chronic heart failure (NYHA class III or IV)
• concomitant therapy with strong CYP3A inhibitors (ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, telithromycin, clarithromycin, nefazadone, ritonavir, saquinavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, atazanavir) or strong CYP3A inducers (rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, dexamethasone, phenobarbital) within 14 days and during study treatment
• body weight below 50 kg