Effect of Ticagrelor and Clopidogrel on Coronary Microcirculation in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Of the patients diagnosed with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent reperfusion therapy and have thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 3 flow, about 40% have flow alterations in the coronary microcirculation, which leads to worse remodeling of the left ventricle with a consequent increase in the mortality of this population. Clopidogrel is the only known antiplatelet medication that brings benefits to the coronary microcirculation. Ticagrelor is significantly superior to clopidogrel in terms of decreasing mortality. The main objective of this study is to compare the effect of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel on the coronary microcirculation by the Myocardial Perfusion Score Index (MPSI) obtained using Microbubble Contrasted Echocardiography (MCE) in patients who have STEMI and treated with thrombolysis.