Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
10:28

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function

Published on: March 15, 2022

Effect of long-term clopidogrel treatment on platelet function and inflammation in patients undergoing coronary

Mark J Antonino1, Elisabeth Mahla, Kevin P Bliden

  • 1Sinai Center for Thrombosis Research, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

The American Journal of Cardiology
|May 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Long-term clopidogrel therapy significantly reduces platelet reactivity and inflammation markers in patients undergoing stenting. This maintenance therapy demonstrates a notable anti-inflammatory effect beyond its antiplatelet action.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Clopidogrel loading dose during stenting reduces inflammation.
  • The anti-inflammatory impact of clopidogrel maintenance therapy is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of long-term clopidogrel maintenance therapy.
  • To compare platelet reactivity and inflammation markers in patients on long-term clopidogrel versus clopidogrel-naive patients before stenting.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 110 patients undergoing non-emergent stenting, including 41 on long-term clopidogrel (>6 months) and 69 clopidogrel-naive patients.
  • Measured platelet reactivity to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) using turbidimetric aggregometry.
  • Assessed inflammation markers and platelet activation (P-selectin, activated glycoprotein IIb/IIIa) via flow cytometry and multianalyte profiling.

Main Results:

  • Patients on long-term clopidogrel showed significantly lower ADP-induced platelet aggregation, P-selectin, and activated glycoprotein IIb/IIIa expression.
  • Lower levels of selected inflammation markers were observed in the long-term clopidogrel group.
  • Strong correlations were found between platelet aggregation measurements and inflammation markers.

Conclusions:

  • Long-term clopidogrel therapy markedly reduces platelet reactivity to ADP.
  • Maintenance clopidogrel therapy is associated with a significant anti-inflammatory effect in patients undergoing stenting.

More Related Videos

Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function06:47

Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function

Published on: November 8, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors01:20

Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors

Antiplatelet drugs emerge as frontline defenders against the insidious threat of thromboembolic diseases, where abnormal clots obstruct vital blood vessels. These drugs stand as bulwarks, inhibiting platelet aggregation and clot formation, thereby mitigating the risk of life-threatening conditions like myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and thrombotic strokes.
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care01:27

Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
Formation of the Platelet Plug01:22

Formation of the Platelet Plug

The platelet phase, the second stage of hemostasis, commences around 15-20 seconds after an injury. It follows and overlaps with the vascular phase, during which blood vessels constrict to minimize blood loss.
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care01:28

Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care

IntroductionThe management of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) aims to minimize myocardial damage, preserve myocardial function, and prevent complications.Initial ManagementInpatient management involves continuous cardiac monitoring, preferably in an ICU, focusing on blood pressure, serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels, and urine output. Ongoing pharmacologic management is crucial for stabilizing the patient.Supplemental Oxygen: Administer supplemental oxygen if oxygen saturation is...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists01:23

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists

Prostacyclin receptor agonists are a class of therapeutic agents integral to managing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These drugs operate by mimicking the action of prostaglandin I2, or PGI2, a naturally occurring compound in the body.
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...