PRotective Effect on the Coronary Microcirculation of Patients With DIabetes by Clopidogrel or Ticagrelor

"Pre-PCI and treatment:~1. At hospital admission: all consecutive patients referred for coronary angiography in stable ischemic heart disease will undergo a complete physical examination, Electrocardiogram (ECG) and laboratory blood testing including cardiac troponin and kinase mioband. Subjects will be investigated to confirm or diagnose existing diabetic or pre-diabetic status.~2. At the time of diagnostic catheterization After informed consent, diabetic or pre-diabetic patients with at least one stenosis with a Fractional Flow Reserve value (FFR) ≤ 0.80 fulfilling all the inclusion/exclusion criteria will be included in the trial.At the same time, a multimodal physiology assessment, including Coronary Flow Reserve (CFR) and Index of Microcirculatory Resistance (IMR) will be measured."

Randomization: patients will be randomly assigned (with 1:1 ratio) to receive either Clopidogrel or Ticagrelor before their clinically-indicated Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Either a loading dose of Ticagrelor 180mg followed by a dose of 90mg b.i.d. (during 48 hours) or a loading dose of Clopidogrel 600mg followed by a daily dose (during at least 48 hours) of 75mg will be administered according to their randomization. Additionally the groups will be balanced according to obesity prevalence \[Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2\] with the implementation of a dedicated randomization list.

"1. Pre-PCI: multimodal physiological evaluation: FFR, CFR, IMR will be repeated~2. PCI: For all the patients undergoing PCI, the use of unfractioned heparin (UHF) will be allowed at the time of PCI; UFH be administered with a target on Activated Clotting Time (ACT) of 200-250 s. The PCI procedures will be performed by standard technique using only second generation Drug Eluting Stents (DES). In all cases, balloon pre-dilatation will be performed before stent implantation using a semi-compliant balloon with a diameter lower than a 75% of the distal reference diameter of the vessel to avoid confounders Post-dilation will be performed according to clinical practice although it will be not mandatory.~3. Post-PCI: After stent implantation/s, multimodal physiological evaluation will be re-performed (FFR, CFR, IMR)."