Yang Y, Chen W, Meng X, et al. - Researchers conducted a subgroup analysis of a randomized controlled trial to ascertain if the smoking status has an influence on platelet reactivity and clinical outcomes of ticagrelor vs clopidogrel in patients with acute minor stroke or TIA. Ticagrelor plus aspirin or clopidogrel plus aspirin were randomized for treatment in patients with minor stroke or TIA. Platelet reactivity was evaluated by VerifyNow P2Y12 assay at baseline, 7 + 2 days and 90 ± 7 days. Of the 675 individuals who were enrolled in the trial, 370 were smokers [defined as patients who smoked ≥ one cigarette per day for at least one year in their lives]. Ticagrelor was superior to clopidogrel in inhibiting platelet reactivity among patients with minor stroke or TIA, and reduced the risk of a new stroke, especially for non-smokers. Marginal significant interactions were noted between treatment groups and smoking status for the proportion of high-on-treatment platelet reactivity.