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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
Published on: March 15, 2022
Coronary artery disease: Platelet activity: an obstacle for successful PCI
Insights
Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel helps prevent coronary events after stenting. However, variable patient responses to clopidogrel may indicate a risk for stent thrombosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Thrombosis Research
Background:
- Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel is standard for patients undergoing coronary stenting.
- While effective, variability in platelet response to clopidogrel poses a risk.
- Stent thrombosis remains a serious complication in up to 3% of patients.
Discussion:
- Investigating clopidogrel responsiveness is crucial for risk stratification.
- Understanding individual patient responses can guide therapeutic adjustments.
- This research explores the link between platelet reactivity and adverse thromboischemic events.
Key Insights:
- Patient platelet reactivity to clopidogrel varies significantly.
- This variability is associated with an increased risk of post-stenting thromboischemic events.
- Assessing clopidogrel responsiveness may identify high-risk individuals.
Outlook:
- Further research is needed to validate clopidogrel responsiveness as a predictive marker.
- Personalized antiplatelet strategies could improve outcomes after coronary stenting.
- Developing more effective antiplatelet therapies remains a priority.
Abstract:
Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is effective in limiting adverse coronary thromboischemic events in most patients undergoing coronary stenting. However, platelet reactivity to clopidogrel is variable and stent thrombosis can occur suddenly and unexpectedly in up to 3% of patients. Is responsiveness to clopidogrel an indicator of risk of post-treatment thromboischemic events?
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