Safety and efficacy of cangrelor, an intravenous, short-acting platelet inhibitor in patients requiring coronary artery bypass surgery

Oral P2Y₁₂ platelet receptor inhibitors are a cornerstone of reducing complications in patients with acute coronary syndromes or coronary stents. Guidelines advocate discontinuing treatment with P2Y₁₂ platelet receptor inhibitors before surgery. Cangrelor, a short-acting, reversible, intravenously administered P2Y₁₂ platelet inhibitor is effective in achieving appropriate platelet inhibition in patients who are awaiting coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and require P2Y₁₂ inhibition. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of preoperative cangrelor on the incidence of perioperative complications, which are currently unknown. Patients (n = 210) requiring preoperative clinical administration of thienopyridine therapy were randomized in a multicenter, double-blinded study to receive cangrelor or placebo while awaiting CABG after discontinuation of the thienopyridine. Optimal platelet reactivity, which was defined as