VerifyNow and VASP phosphorylation assays give similar results for patients receiving clopidogrel, but they do not always correlate with platelet aggregation.

Point-of-care testing permits an evaluation of the efficacy of drugs used in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). An increased risk of thrombosis after coronary stenting for ACS patients treated with aspirin and clopidogrel has been linked to high platelet reactivity and, for certain patients, poor drug response. The objective of our study was to compare the VerifyNow-P2Y12 device with the VASP (vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein) phosphorylation assay and ADP-induced platelet aggregation as assessed by light transmission aggregometry in a group of 81 ACS patients (100 tests) treated in our hospital. There was a good correlation between VerifyNow-P2Y12 and VASP especially during the chronic phase of one month or more after the ischemic event, whereas discordance was sometimes seen with platelet aggregometry. The rapidity and ease of use of the VerifyNow device suggests that it has a valuable place in point-of-care testing of ACS patients.