Background: Circulating platelet micro-RNAs (miRNAs) may be used to monitor platelet function during dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). Aim of the study was to measure plasma levels of specific miRNAs (miRNA-223, -150, -21 and -126) after physician-driven cessation of chronic P2Y12 inhibition and to study differences in the expression levels of these miRNAs between the different oral P2Y12 inhibitors clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor, respectively.
Design: Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) on DAPT maintenance dose (including aspirin 100 mg OD, plus clopidogrel 75 mg OD, or prasugrel 10 mg OD, or ticagrelor 90 mg BID) were prospectively enrolled before cessation of the P2Y12-inhibitor therapy.