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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms
Published on: December 9, 2015
Clopidogrel resistance
Ernesto Oqueli1, Martin Hiscock, Ronald Dick
1Epworth Hospital, Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ernestoo@epworth.org.au
Insights
Clopidogrel resistance, defined as low platelet inhibition, is inconsistently characterized. Emerging evidence suggests it may indicate a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events post-intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Clopidogrel resistance describes reduced platelet inhibition after administration.
- Inconsistent definitions and characterization complicate research.
- Underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the concept and implications of clopidogrel resistance.
- To highlight the association between clopidogrel resistance and adverse cardiovascular events.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies defining and investigating clopidogrel resistance.
- Analysis of reported associations between platelet inhibition levels and clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- Diverse nomenclature and definitions exist for clopidogrel resistance.
- Recent studies suggest a link between reduced platelet inhibition and increased adverse events after percutaneous coronary interventions.
- No large prospective studies confirm this direct relationship.
Conclusions:
- Clopidogrel resistance may serve as a marker for increased cardiovascular risk.
- Further large-scale investigations are necessary to validate these findings.
Abstract:
Clopidogrel resistance has been used as one of the terms employed in the literature to describe different degrees of ex vivo low platelet inhibition after clopidogrel administration. In addition to the diverse nomenclature, the characterisation of clopidogrel resistance has also been problematic because different authors have given different definitions. The mechanisms responsible for this decreased platelet response are not yet clearly defined, some hypotheses have been put forward but not yet demonstrated. Although there have been no large prospective studies demonstrating that the degree of platelet inhibition is directly related to clinical outcomes, several recent studies and reports have shown an association between less platelet inhibition and more adverse events after percutaneous coronary interventions with clopidogrel therapy suggesting that clopidogrel resistance may be a marker for increased risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. Larger scale investigations are needed to support these findings.
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