Earlier recovery of platelet function after discontinuation of treatment with ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel in patients with high antiplatelet responses

Background: The rate of recovery of platelet function after discontinuation of P2Y12 inhibitors depends on the reversibility of the antiplatelet effect and the extent of the on‐treatment response. P2Y12 inhibition increases the bleeding risk in patients requiring surgery. Objectives: To evaluate recovery of platelet function after discontinuation of ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with high levels of platelet inhibition (HPI) during the ONSET/OFFSET study. Methods: Patients received aspirin 75–100 mg per day and either ticagrelor 90 mg twice‐daily or clopidogrel 75 mg daily for 6 weeks. This subanalysis included patients with HPI after the last dose of maintenance therapy, defined as: inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA) > 75% 4 h post‐dose (ADP 20 μm, final extent);