Ambulance or in-catheterization laboratory administration of ticagrelor for primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Rationale and design of the randomized, double-blind administration of ticagrelor in the cath lab or in the ambulance for new ST elevation myocardial Infarction to open the Coronary artery (ATLANTIC) study

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the treatment of choice for patients presenting with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, if catheterization facilities are not immediately available, the effectiveness of PCI can be affected by delays in transfer. Evidence suggests that antiplatelet therapy administered early, preferably in the ambulance during transfer, may provide better and earlier perfusion. Ticagrelor, a direct platelet P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibitor, is indicated for the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes. The ATLANTIC study (NCT01347580; EudraCT 2011-000214-19) is a 30-day international, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study in male and female patients (aged ≥18 years) who are diagnosed as having STEMI, with intended primary PCI. In total, 1770 patients will be randomized immediately after diagnosis to prehospital administration of ticagrelor 180 mg followed by matching placebo administered in hospital, or prehospital administration of placebo followed by ticagrelor 180 mg administered in hospital. All patients will then receive ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily for 30 days. The coprimary end point is the percentage of patients reaching thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade 3 in the infarct-related artery at initial angiography or achieving ≥70% ST-segment elevation resolution pre-PCI. The primary safety end point is major, life-threatening, or minor bleeding after ticagrelor administration. The results of this study may have an impact on future recommendations for treatment for patients with STEMI.