GLOBAL LEADERS: A Clinical Study Comparing Two Forms of Anti-platelet Therapy After Stent Implantation

Inclusion Criteria:

-"All comer" patients

1. Age ≥18 years;
2. Presence of one or more coronary artery stenoses of 50% or more in a native coronary artery or in a saphenous venous or arterial bypass conduit suitable for coronary stent implantation. The vessel should have a reference vessel diameter of at least 2.25 mm (no limitation on the number of treated lesions, vessels, or lesion length);
3. Able to provide informed consent and willing to participate in 2 year follow- up period.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Known intolerance to aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitors, bivalirudin, stainless steel or biolimus;
2. Known intake of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, ritonavir, and atazanavir), as co-administration may lead to a substantial increase in exposure to ticagrelor;
3. Known moderate to severe hepatic impairment (alanine-aminotransferase ≥ 3 x ULN);
4. Planned surgery, including coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) as a staged procedure (hybrid) within 12 months of the index procedure, unless dual antiplatelet therapy is maintained throughout the peri-surgical period;
5. Need for chronic oral anti-coagulation therapy;
6. Active major bleeding or major surgery within the last 30 days;
7. Known history of intracranial haemorrhagic stroke or intra-cranial aneurysm;
8. Known stroke (any type) within the last 30 days;
9. Known pregnancy at time of randomisation;
10. Female who is breastfeeding at time of randomisation;
11. Currently participating in another trial and not yet at its primary endpoint.