Original Article   

Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences 2022 Sep 16

DOI: 10.23736/S0390-5616.22.05745-9

Copyright © 2022 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Safety and efficacy of dual antiplatelet therapy combining aspirin and ticagrelor in patients with undergoing intracranial stenting procedures

Yihui MA, Xiangyu ZHANG, Tingbao ZHANG, Yu FENG, Wenyuan ZHAO, Xinjun CHEN ✉

Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China

BACKGROUND: Thromboembolic complications are one of the major periprocedural complications following neuroendovascular procedures. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel remain the principal agents for prevention of thromboembolic complications. However, clopidogrel resistance is associated with higher risk of thromboembolic complications. This study investigated the safety and efficacy of DAPT with ticagrelor and aspirin in patients undergoing intracranial stenting procedures.
METHODS: This retrospective study was based on patients with intracranial aneurysms who undergoing intracranial stenting procedures at our institution between August 2017 and July 2020. These patients received DAPT with ticagrelor and aspirin were included. DAPT with 90 mg ticagrelor twice-daily and aspirin 100 mg daily was continued for 3 months after the intracranial stenting procedure and aspirin continued for 1 year.
RESULTS: In this study, 151 patients were identified. The most common aneurysm location was the internal carotid artery with 127 (71.8%) patients. Of the 151 cases with 160 treated aneurysms, 30 (18.8%) patients were treated by flow diverters (FDs), and 130 (81.2%) by stent-assisted coiling. Five (3.3%) patients had thromboembolic complications. Intraprocedural aneurysmal rupture was observed in one patient as a result of coil extrusion during coil insertion. None of the patients showed a newly DAPT-related intracerebral hemorrhage. Two patients developed dyspnea, and the symptom resolved without intervention. Furthermore, ecchymoma and gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in one patient respectively. DAPT-related thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications were not significantly different between the FD group and stent-assisted coiling group.
CONCLUSIONS: In our study, DAPT combining ticagrelor and aspirin seems to be a safe and efficient treatment for preventing thromboembolic complications in patients with intracranial aneurysms, without any increase in hemorrhagic complications. Ticagrelor may be an effective alternative for patients undergoing neurointervention.

KEY WORDS: Ticagrelor; Dual antiplatelet therapy; Intracranial aneurysms; Stent; Aspirin