Oral P2Y12 Antiplatelet Use Among U.S. Adults Over 40 Who Suffered a Recent (< 2 years) Myocardial Infarction: NHANES 2011-2016

Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida, USA

Objective: The main purpose of our study is to explore the effect of Age, Race, and Diabetic status on the use and prescribing patterns of P2Y12 oral antiplatelet therapy in patients older than 40 years old who have experienced a myocardial infarction within the past two years. Background: Oral P2Y12 antiplatelet therapy is currently indicated for the treatment of Myocardial Infarction patients. While current guidelines recommend the administration of Clopidogrel, Prasugrel, or Ticagrelor, there are currently no studies that show a clear benefit of one versus the other nor how to select one agent over another. Methods: A secondary database analysis of a cross-sectional study survey was conducted using data that was retrieved from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Patients were grouped based on their Age, Race, and Diabetic status. Results: The data showed 36% of the sample population to be on P2Y12 Therapy. 70% were on clopidogrel and 30% were on Prasugrel. For the factors of Age, Race, and non-diabetics, 66%, 70%, and 83% of the sampled population, respectively, were on Clopidogrel. As clinical guidelines recommend dual antiplatelet therapy for recurrent myocardial infarction prophylaxis, 72% of the sampled population were found to be undertreated. Conclusion: The factors age, diabetes, and race did not show a statistically significant effect on the trend of prescribing oral P2Y12 antiplatelet agents. Considering post-myocardial infarction mortality rates, the high level of undertreatment negatively impacts long term patient health outcomes. Grants: This study was not funded by any third party.