Impact of Society Guidelines on Trends in Use of Newer P2Y 12 Inhibitors for Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Abstract

Background Over the past decade, major society guidelines have recommended the use of newer P2Y 12 inhibitors over clopidogrel for those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome. It is unclear what impact these recommendations had on clinical practice. Methods and Results All percutaneous coronary intervention procedures (n=534 210) for acute coronary syndrome in England and Wales (April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2022) were retrospectively analyzed, stratified by choice of preprocedural P2Y 12 inhibitor (clopidogrel, ticagrelor, and prasugrel). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine odds ratios of receipt of ticagrelor and prasugrel (versus clopidogrel) over time, and predictors of their receipt. Overall, there was a significant increase in receipt of newer P2Y 12 inhibitors from 2010 to 2020 (2022 versus 2010: ticagrelor odds ratio, 8.12 [95% CI, 7.67–8.60]; prasugrel odds ratio, 6.14 [95% CI, 5.53–6.81]), more so in ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction than non–ST‐segment–elevation acute coronary syndrome indication. The most significant increase in odds of receipt of prasugrel was observed between 2020 and 2022 ( P <0.001), following a decline/plateau in its use in earlier years (2011–2019). In contrast, the odds of receipt of ticagrelor significantly increased in earlier years (2012–2017, P trend <0.001), after which the trend was stable ( P trend =0.093). Conclusions Over a 13‐year‐period, there has been a significant increase in use of newer P2Y 12 inhibitors, although uptake of prasugrel use remained significantly lower than ticagrelor. Earlier society guidelines (pre‐2017) were associated with the highest rates of ticagrelor use for non–ST‐segment–elevation acute coronary syndrome and ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction cases while the ISAR‐REACT 5 (Prospective, Randomized Trial of Ticagrelor Versus Prasugrel in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome) trial and later society guidelines were associated with higher prasugrel use, mainly for ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction indication.