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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
Published on: March 15, 2022
Significance of aspirin and clopidogrel resistance in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions
Jerzy Pregowski1, Adam Witkowski, Dariusz Sitkiewicz
1Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw, Poland.
Insights
Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is crucial after coronary stent implantation. However, aspirin and clopidogrel resistance may contribute to recurrent ischemic events and stent thrombosis, necessitating further research.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel is standard after coronary stent implantation.
- Despite DAPT, a significant number of patients experience recurrent ischemic events, including stent thrombosis and restenosis.
- Antiplatelet drug resistance is increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to these adverse outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of aspirin and clopidogrel resistance.
- To discuss the clinical significance and prognostic value of antiplatelet resistance after coronary interventions.
- To highlight the need for further research into laboratory detection and management of antiplatelet resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of published data on antiplatelet resistance.
- Analysis of mechanisms including poor compliance, drug interactions, genetic polymorphism, and increased platelet turnover.
- Evaluation of clinical significance and prognostic implications of resistance.
Main Results:
- Resistance to aspirin and clopidogrel can manifest through various mechanisms.
- Antiplatelet resistance may be associated with stent thrombosis and other ischemic events post-intervention.
- Laboratory detection of resistance requires further validation for clinical utility.
Conclusions:
- Aspirin and clopidogrel resistance is a potential factor in recurrent ischemic events after coronary stenting.
- Understanding resistance mechanisms is crucial for optimizing antiplatelet strategies.
- Further research is needed to establish the clinical role of antiplatelet resistance testing.
Abstract:
Dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin plus clopidogrel) is mandatory in patients treated with coronary stent implantation. This strategy is highly effective in prevention of stent thrombosis until its struts are covered with endothelium. However, a substantial number of patients still suffer from recurrent ischemic coronary events despite adequate antiplatelet therapy. These events fall into three categories: stent thrombosis, in stent restenosis and events related to other non-stented coronary lesions. Some data suggest that beside other local and systemic factors resistance to aspirin and clopidogrel may be a possible cause of stent thrombosis and ischemic events in patients after coronary interventions. Several mechanisms of antiplatelet drug resistance have been reported including poor compliance, interactions with other drugs, genetic polymorphism or increased platelet turnover. More research is needed to adequately assess the clinical significance and prognostic value of antiplatelet drug resistance detected by laboratory tests in patients undergoing percutaneous intervention. We review published data on mechanisms and the clinical significance of aspirin and clopidogrel resistance in patients after coronary interventions.
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