Platelet function monitoring and clopidogrel

Andrew R Harper1, Matthew J Price

  • 1Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. a.r.harper@ncl.ac.uk

Current Cardiology Reports
|December 20, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Antiplatelet therapy using P2Y12 inhibitors like clopidogrel is crucial after percutaneous coronary intervention. Measuring platelet function may personalize therapy, but more trial data is needed to support routine use.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor antagonist is standard after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and for acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
  • Individual variability in the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel exists, with high on-treatment platelet reactivity linked to increased cardiovascular events post-PCI, including stent thrombosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of incorporating platelet function testing into clinical practice.
  • To assess if personalized antiplatelet therapy following PCI can be achieved through platelet function monitoring.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on antiplatelet therapy and platelet function testing.
  • Analysis of the association between high on-treatment platelet reactivity and cardiovascular events post-PCI.

Main Results:

  • High on-treatment platelet reactivity is a significant risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes after PCI.
  • Ex vivo methods for measuring P2Y12 antagonist effects are clinically available.

Conclusions:

  • Platelet function testing offers a potential strategy for tailoring antiplatelet therapy post-PCI.
  • Definitive randomized trials are required to establish the routine use of platelet function testing in guiding antiplatelet therapy after PCI.

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