Summary
Several test systems exist for assessment of platelet function in patients under clopidogrel
or aspirin therapy. The objective was to cross-validate the Multiple Electrode Aggregometry
(MEA) with three other methods used for determining platelet reactivity under treatment
with clopidogrel and aspirin. Platelet function was assessed by the MEA, Vasodilator
Stimulated Phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation assay, Platelet Function Analyzer-100
(PFA-100) and the Cone and Platelet Analyzer. Measurements were performed in blood
from nine healthy volunteers at baseline, 2, 4, 6 and 72 hours after clopidogrel and
aspirin loading. The apparent effect size for clopidogrel and aspirin was greatest
for the MEA: treatment induced a 19-fold difference in the arachidonic acid-induced
platelet aggregation and an 11-fold difference in the adenosine diphosphate-induced
platelet aggregation before/after treatment. For comparison, aspirin and clopidogrel
induced only 2.0– to 2.6 -fold changes in other tests (VASP assay, Cone and Platelet
Analyzer and PFA-100). Maximal effects were seen 2 hours after aspirin loading and
shorter than 72 hours after clopidogrel loading. In conclusion, aspirin and clopidogrel
produce stronger signals in the MEA compared to several other methods.
Keywords
Antiplatelet - aspirin - clopidogrel - platelet function - Multiplate Analyzer