Antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel in patients with aspirin therapy undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions--limited inhibition of the P2Y12 receptor.

INTRODUCTION

Large individual variability in clopidogrel responses has been reported. However, mechanisms of the non-responsiveness are unclear. Our aim was to study the extent of platelet inhibition at the receptor level by in vitro receptor antagonists of P2Y(12) (AR-C69931MX, cangrelor) and P2Y(1) (adenosine 3',5'diphosphate) in aspirin treated patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to and after in vivo clopidogrel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

51 aspirin-treated (100 mg/day) patients participated. Blood was collected before and after administration of clopidogrel at 300 mg loading dose on day one, followed by 75 mg/d for four days. Aggregation in platelet-rich plasma was assessed.

RESULTS

In 20% of patients clopidogrel failed to inhibit platelet responses to ADP. These non-responders had also decreased sensitivity to an in vitro P2Y(12)-receptor antagonist compared with the responders (mean inhibition of aggregation 25 vs. 32%, difference of means 7% (95% CI 2-12%), P<0.02). Moreover, the P2Y(12)-receptor inhibition by in vivo clopidogrel correlated with the inhibition by in vitro ARMX measured prior to administration of clopidogrel. Neither P2Y(1)-receptor activity, thrombin generation while on aspirin nor basal platelet activity associated with clopidogrel responses.

CONCLUSIONS

Concomitant aspirin and clopidogrel treatment failed to suppress platelet activity in 20% of patients. Non-responders to clopidogrel had decreased responses also to another ADP receptor antagonist, which suggests that the impaired response occurs at the level of P2Y(12)-receptor.