Comparison of Clopidogrel Versus Ticagrelor Therapy for Atherosclerotic Plaque Inflammation

Inclusion criteria

• Men or Women at least 18 years of age inclusive
• Patients with acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina pectoris Braunwald class IB, IC, IIB, IIC, IIIB, IIIC, NSTEMI or STEMI)
• FDG PET/CT shows at least 1 hot uptakes at carotid and or ascending aorta
• The patient or guardian agrees to the study protocol and the schedule of clinical and FDG PET/CT follow-up, and provides informed, written consent, as approved by the appropriate Institutional Review Board/Ethical Committee of the respective clinical site.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients treated with carotid endarterectomy or stent placement
• Chronic disease requiring treatment with oral, intravenous, or intra-articular corticosteroids (use of topical, inhaled, or nasal corticosteroids is permissible).
• Untreated hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism
• Any clinically significant abnormality identified at the screening visit, physical examination, laboratory tests, or electrocardiogram which, in the judgment of the Investigator, would preclude safe completion of the study.
• Evidence of congestive heart failure, or left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%.
• Significant renal disease manifested by serum creatinine > 2.0mg/dL, or creatinine clearance of < 40 ml/min (by Cockcroft-Gault method).
• Hepatic disease or biliary tract obstruction, or significant hepatic enzyme elevation (ALT or AST > 3 times upper limit of normal).
• History of adult asthma manifested by bronchospasm in the past 6 months, or currently taking regular anti-asthmatic medication(s).
• Unwillingness or inability to comply with the procedures described in this protocol.
• Patient's pregnant or breast-feeding or child-bearing potential.
• Type I Diabetes