Over 20 scientific abstracts from AstraZeneca’s cardiovascular and metabolic disease portfolio are being presented at European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2015 in London, including five oral presentations. Data presented focuses on the early management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and long-term secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients who have previously suffered a heart attack.

Presentation of the data, including sub-analyses of the Brilinta PEGASUS-TIMI 54 study, coincides with updates to the ESC guidelines on treatment of non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients, which have been presented at the congress on August 30. The updated guidelines provide insight into long term dual antiplatelet therapy for patients with a history of heart attack.

The PEGASUS-TIMI 54 study sub-analyses provide further understanding of the types of patients most likely to benefit from long-term treatment with Brilinta. The data also provides insight into the relationship between the time from a patient’s last treatment with P2Y12 antiplatelet therapy and their risk of a subsequent heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death as well as the effect of Brilinta in this setting.

Elisabeth Björk, vice president, head of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, global medicines development, AstraZeneca, said, “It is encouraging to see guideline updates recognise the continuing risk for patients more than one year after their heart attack and consider how this risk can be managed. We are looking forward to the presentation of the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 sub-analyses during the ESC Congress 2015 and to continuing the debate about the long-term use of dual antiplatelet therapy for these patients.”

In March 2015, based on the results of the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 study1, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Priority Review for Brilinta for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients who have previously experienced a heart attack.

Additional sub-analyses of the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 study also being presented at the ESC Congress 2015 include research into the relationship between renal function and risk of ischaemic and bleeding events, evaluated in a subset of high-risk patients with reduced renal function, and a gender comparison sub-analysis, assessing the relative safety and efficacy of ticagrelor in women versus men.

Data from the APOLLO real-world evidence study, exploring the impact of associated risk factors (such as age =65 years, diabetes, history of >1 prior myocardial infarction or renal disease) on the likelihood of recurrent cardiovascular events [abstract P2467], as well as long-term national healthcare costs post-heart attack [abstract 3662], featured as poster presentations on August 30, 31.

Data from the ATLANTIC-H24 analysis, exploring the effect of pre-hospital versus in-hospital administration of ticagrelor during the first 24 hours post-procedure, specifically among patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), will feature on August 31, as part of the clinical trial update II - Antiplatelet therapy session.

Two additional sub-analyses from ATLANTIC, exploring the study results according to gender and within the French sub-population will also be featured as poster presentations.

Data from the SUPPORT study demonstrating the impact of a new interactive smartphone application on improving patient adherence and quality of life will be explored during a rapid fire abstract session on September 2.

A VOYAGER meta-analysis examining the role of statin therapy, such as Crestor (rosuvastatin), in risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease over a 10 year period will be presented in a poster session September 1.

Brilinta is a direct-acting, selective and reversibly binding P2Y12 receptor antagonist in a chemical class called cyclo-pentyl-triazolo-pyrimidines (CPTPs). Brilinta works by inhibiting platelet activation.

Brilinta (90mg) is indicated to reduce the rate of thrombotic cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with ACS (unstable angina [UA], non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI], or ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]). Brilinta has been shown to reduce the rate of a combined end point of CV death, MI, or stroke compared to clopidogrel. The difference between treatments was driven by CV death and MI with no difference in stroke. In patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, it also reduces the rate of stent thrombosis.

PEGASUS-TIMI 54 (PrEvention with TicaGrelor of SecondAry Thrombotic Events in High-RiSk Patients with Prior AcUte Coronary Syndrome – Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction Study Group) is one of AstraZeneca’s largest ever outcomes trials with more than 21,000 patients from over 1,100 sites in 31 countries in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Australia/Asia. It was conducted in collaboration with the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Study Group from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston, MA, USA).