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Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms
Published on: December 9, 2015
Aspirin resistance: current concepts
Peter J Mason1, Jane E Freedman, Alice K Jacobs
1Section of Cardiology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
Aspirin resistance, the failure of aspirin to prevent cardiovascular events, affects 5% to 45% of people. Understanding its mechanisms and detection is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Thrombosis
Background:
- Aspirin is a key antiplatelet medication for preventing cardiovascular events.
- Variable individual responses to aspirin therapy contribute to persistent risks of recurrent vascular events.
- Aspirin resistance is a recognized phenomenon, though formal diagnostic criteria are absent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biological mechanisms of aspirin resistance.
- To discuss the prevalence of aspirin resistance in the general population.
- To explore laboratory methods for detecting aspirin resistance and its clinical significance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on aspirin's antiplatelet effects.
- Analysis of data on aspirin resistance prevalence and variability.
- Examination of diagnostic approaches and clinical implications.
Main Results:
- Individual variability in aspirin's antithrombotic effects is significant.
- Aspirin resistance occurs in a substantial portion of the population (5%–45%).
- Detection of aspirin resistance holds potential clinical importance for treatment optimization.
Conclusions:
- Aspirin resistance can explain the high rate of recurrent vascular events in some patients.
- Further research into mechanisms, detection, and clinical relevance is warranted.
- Identifying aspirin resistance may lead to personalized antiplatelet strategies.
Abstract:
Aspirin is an effective antiplatelet agent with proven benefit in the prevention of atherothrombotic complications of cardiovascular disease. The antithrombotic effects of aspirin, however, are variable among individuals and this might explain, in part, why the absolute risk of recurrent vascular events in patients receiving aspirin therapy remains relatively high (8% - 18% after 2 years). Although formal diagnostic criteria are lacking, aspirin resistance generally describes the failure of aspirin to produce an expected biological response or the failure of aspirin to prevent atherothrombotic events. Aspirin resistance has been reported to occur in 5% to 45% of the general population; therefore, its detection is potentially of clinical importance. The biological mechanisms, population prevalence, laboratory methods for detection, and clinical relevance of aspirin resistance are discussed in this review.
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