Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2025
Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function
Published on: November 8, 2024
Determination of clopidogrel effect in cats using point-of-care Plateletworks ADP and shipped samples for PFA-200
Matthew R Kornya1, Anthony Cg Abrams-Ogg1, Shauna L Blois1
1Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
Insights
Clopidogrel effectiveness testing in cats is feasible using blood samples analyzed in-house or shipped to a lab. This study shows high success rates for platelet function assays, improving accessibility for veterinary practices.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Hematology
Background:
- Clopidogrel is a first-line antithrombotic for cats, but 15-20% show ineffectiveness.
- Platelet function assays for clopidogrel effectiveness were previously limited to specialty centers.
- Recent advancements suggest in-hospital or shipped sample analysis may be viable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of in-house and shipped blood sample analysis for determining clopidogrel effectiveness in cats.
- To assess the feasibility of using primary veterinary practices for clopidogrel effectiveness testing.
Main Methods:
- Citrated blood samples were collected from cats on clopidogrel therapy across Canadian clinical practices.
- Samples were analyzed in-house using Plateletworks ADP.
- Samples were shipped for remote analysis using PFA-200 P2Y and COL/ADP cartridges.
Main Results:
- Analyzable sample percentages were 86% for Plateletworks ADP, 90% for PFA-200 P2Y, and 87% for PFA-200 COL/ADP.
- No significant difference was found in the number of unanalyzable samples between modalities.
- Prevalence of clopidogrel ineffectiveness varied: 8% (PFA-200 COL/ADP), 25% (PFA-200 P2Y), and 30% (Plateletworks ADP).
Conclusions:
- Feline blood samples can be successfully collected in clinical practices and shipped for PFA-200 analysis.
- The success rate of shipped sample analysis is comparable to point-of-care testing.
- This approach enhances accessibility for determining clopidogrel effectiveness in primary veterinary settings.
Objectives:
Clopidogrel is the recommended first-line antithrombotic in cats for a variety of conditions; however, it is ineffective in 15-20% of cats. The determination of clopidogrel effectiveness with platelet function assays has historically been limited to specialty centers; however, recent work has suggested that in-hospital or shipped analyses of samples may be feasible. The aim of the present study was to investigate the utility of an in-house analysis and shipping of blood samples collected in primary practices for the determination of clopidogrel effectiveness.
Methods:
Citrated blood samples were collected from cats receiving clopidogrel therapy by veterinarians in clinical practices across Canada, a median of 304.4 km from the reference laboratory (range 8-4425). Samples were analyzed in-house using Plateletworks ADP and shipped for remote analysis using PFA-200 P2Y and COL/ADP cartridges.
Results:
A total of 30 samples were collected from 25 cats. Of these, the percentage of samples analyzable for the presence or absence of the clopidogrel effect was 86% for Plateletworks ADP, 90% for PFA-200 P2Y and 87% for PFA-200 COL/ADP. There was no significant difference in the number of samples unable to be analyzed by each modality (P = 0.689) due to flow obstruction or other sample characteristics. The prevalence of absence of clopidogrel effectiveness on platelet function assays was 8% with the PFA-200 COL/ADP assay, 25% with the PFA-200 P2Y assay and 30% with the Plateletworks ADP assay.
Conclusions And Relevance:
The results of this study confirm that samples of feline blood can be collected in clinical practices and shipped to a reference laboratory for PFA-200 analysis with a high rate of success, comparable to point-of-care analysis.
