Summary
Prasugrel, a novel P2Y12 ADP-receptor antagonist, has been reported to achieve greater inhibition of platelet
aggregation compared to clopidogrel as assessed by light transmission aggregometry.
It was the objective of this study to investigate the effect of prasugrel on alternative
markers of platelet activation in comparison to a high loading dose and the approved
maintenance dose of clopidogrel. One hundred ten aspirintreated patients with stable
coronary artery disease were randomized to a loading dose (LD, day 1)/ maintenance
dose (MD, days 2–29) of prasugrel 60 mg/10 mg or clopidogrel 600 mg/75 mg. Platelet
activation markers were analyzed by whole blood flow cytometry pre-dose and at 2 and
24 hours after LD and pre-dose at 14 and 29 days. After stimulation with 20 µM ADP,
2 hours after LD, significantly lower expression of activated GPIIb/IIIa (4.3 vs.
21.8 [mean fluorescent intensity (MFI)], p < 0.001) and P-selectin (2.0 vs. 11.7 MFI,
p < 0.001) along with decreased formation of platelet-monocyte aggregates (16.4% vs.29.6%
positive cells, p < 0.001) was observed with prasugrel versus clopidogrel. All these
effects were maintained through 24 hours and during the MD period. In conclusion,
prasugrel 60 mg LD and 10 mg MD inhibit several markers of platelet activation and
the formation of platelet-monocyte aggregates more effectively than a 600 mg LD and
75 mg MD of clopidogrel. Attenuated platelet aggregation and reduced expression of
platelet procoagulant and pro-inflammatory markers with prasugrel suggest the potential
to reduce cardiovascular events both in the acute setting and in longterm treatment.
Keywords CAD - thienopyridines - platelet markers - tissue factor - flow cyto metry