Effects of Low-dose Ticagrelor vs. Clopidogrel in Stable Patients Undergoing Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Stable CAD undergoing elective PCI; 2. Male or females, Age ≥ 18 years old; 3. Troponin negative before coronary angiography; 4. On treatment with low-dose aspirin (81mg od) and clopidogrel for at least 24 hours after index PCI; 5. ABCD-GENE score greater or equal than 10. Troponin negative is defined as hs-cTn below the URL for the laboratory (Male \< 22 ng/L; Female \< 14 ng/L) or modestly positive hs-cTn (Male: 22-99 ng/L; Female: 14-99 ng/L) flat or decreasing from hour 0 to 3. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Myocardial infarction at the time of index PCI; 2. On treatment with prasugrel or ticagrelor; 3. Documented hypersensitivity to clopidogrel; 4. Use of an intravenous antiplatelet therapy (i.e., cangrelor or GPI) in the prior 24 hours; 5. Concomitant therapy with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or CYP3A4 substrates; 6. Use of oral anticoagulant therapy; 7. History of previous intracerebral bleed at any time; 8. Active pathological bleeding; 9. Documented hypersensitivity to ticagrelor; 10. Increased risk of bradycardic events (e.g., known sick sinus syndrome, second or third degree AV block or previous documented syncope suspected to be due to bradycardia) unless treated with a pacemaker; 11. Known severe liver disease; 12. Known platelet count \<80x106/mL; 13. Known hemoglobin \<9 g/dL; 14. Women of child-bearing potential (i.e., those who are not chemically or surgically sterilized or who are not post-menopause) who are not willing to use a medically accepted method of contraception that is considered reliable in the judgment of the investigator OR who have a positive pregnancy test at enrollment or randomization OR women who are breast-feeding. 15. Inability to provide written informed consent.