Effect of 150-mg vs 300-mg loading doses of clopidogrel on platelet function in Japanese patients undergoing coronary stent placement

BACKGROUND: The loading dose of ticlopidine is 500 mg in both the US and Europe and 200 mg in Japan. A lower loading dose of clopidogrel might achieve adequate platelet inhibition in Japanese patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Platelet aggregation was serially measured at baseline, and 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after 150-mg (n=20) and 300-mg (n=20) clopidogrel loading. Platelets were stimulated with 5 and 20 micromol/L adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and aggregation was assessed by optical aggregometry. Pretreatment ADP-induced platelet aggregation in the 150-mg clopidogrel group did not differ from that of the 300-mg group. The administration of 300-mg clopidogrel loading dose resulted in lower platelet aggregation 2 h after the administration (5 micromol/L ADP: 53+/-9% vs 61+/-12%, p<0.05 and 20 micromol/L ADP: 61+/-10% vs 68+/-9%, p<0.05). A lower platelet aggregation induced with 20 micromol/L ADP was still observed 4 h after the 300-mg clopidogrel loading (58+/-10% vs 65+/-9%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 150-mg clopidogrel loading does not achieve rapid platelet inhibition. The 300-mg loading dose should be used to suppress platelet function rapidly even in Japanese patients undergoing coronary stent placement.     

Antiplatelet effects of a 600 mg loading dose of clopidogrel are not attenuated in patients receiving atorvastatin or simvastatin for at least 4 weeks prior to coronary artery stenting.

AIMS: To test prospectively whether the antiplatelet effect of a 600 mg loading dose of clopidogrel is attenuated in patients receiving atorvastatin and simvastatin for at least 4 weeks prior to coronary artery stenting. METHODS AND RESULTS: Blood samples were obtained at least 2 h after receiving 100 mg aspirin and 600 mg clopidogrel and prior to coronary stenting from 90 patients without statin therapy and 90 patients with statin (atorvastatin and simvastatin) therapy for at least 4 weeks. Maximal and residual platelet aggregation was evaluated with optical aggregometry in response to ADP (5 and 20 micromol/l). Surface expression of IIb/IIIa (CD61) and P-selectin (CD62) was assessed with whole blood flow-cytometry at baseline and following stimulation (5 and 20 micromol/l ADP). Inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation was not impaired in the presence of concomitant statin therapy. Moreover, patients with and without statin therapy did not differ in respect to all flow-cytometric parameters obtained. CONCLUSION: The antiplatelet effect of a high, 600 mg loading dose of clopidogrel is not diminished in patients receiving atorvastatin and simvastatin for at least 4 weeks prior to coronary stenting.     

Accelerated platelet inhibition by switching from atorvastatin to a non-CYP3A4-metabolized statin in patients with high platelet reactivity (ACCEL-STATIN) study

Aims CYP3A4-metabolized statins can influence the pharmacodynamic effect of clopidogrel. We sought to assess the impact of switching to a non-CYP3A4-metabolized statin on platelet function among patients receiving clopidogrel and atorvastatin with high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR). Methods and results Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-treated patients (n= 50) with HPR [20 μM adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced maximal platelet aggregation (MPA) >50%] were enrolled during chronic administration of atorvastatin (10 mg/day) and clopidogrel (75 mg/day) (≥6 months). They were randomly assigned to a 15-day therapy with either rosuvastatin 10 mg/day (n= 25) or pravastatin 20 mg/day (n= 25). Platelet function was assessed before and after switching by conventional aggregometry and the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay. Genotyping was performed for CYP2C19*2/*3, CYP3A5*3, and ABCB1 C3435T alleles. The primary endpoint was the absolute change in 20 μM ADP-induced MPA. After switching, MPAs after stimuli with 20 and 5 μM ADP were decreased by 6.6% (95% confidence interval: 3.2-10.1%; P < 0.001), and 6.3% (95% confidence interval: 2.5-10.2%; P = 0.002), respectively. Fifty-two P2Y12 reaction units fell (95% confidence interval: 35-70; P < 0.001) and the prevalence of HPR decreased (24%; P < 0.001). Pharmacodynamic effects were similar after rosuvastatin and pravastatin therapy. In addition to smoking status, the combination of calcium channel blocker usage and ABCB1 C3435T genotype significantly affected the change of 20 μM ADP-induced MPA. Conclusions Among PCI-treated patients with HPR during co-administration of clopidogrel and atorvastatin, switching to a non-CYP3A4-metabolized statin can significantly decrease platelet reactivity and the prevalence of HPR. This switching effect appears similar irrespective of the type of non-CYP3A4-metabolized statin.     

Effect of atorvastatin and pravastatin on platelet inhibition by aspirin and clopidogrel treatment in patients with coronary stent thrombosis

We sought to determine a potential interaction between statins and antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel. Previous laboratory studies have shown a possible drug-drug interaction of statins metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 and clopidogrel (prodrug metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4), resulting in an impaired inhibitory effect of clopidogrel on platelet aggregation. However, conclusive prospective data assessing this potentially relevant interaction are lacking. In 73 patients, 23 with previous coronary stent thrombosis (ST) (ST group) and 50 without coronary ST (control group), platelet aggregation was measured 3 times in monthly intervals using light transmission aggregometry (adenosine diphosphate [ADP] and arachidonic acid induction). Measurements were carried out with aspirin monotherapy (100 mg/day), dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin plus clopidogrel (75 mg/day), and additional treatment of 20 mg/day of atorvastatin or 40 mg/day of pravastatin. ADP (5 and 20 micromol)-induced platelet aggregation was significantly decreased with clopidogrel (p <0.001) but remained stable under additional treatment with atorvastatin or pravastatin in the 2 groups. Patients with previous ST showed a higher ADP-induced aggregation level than control subjects. This difference was not influenced by clopidogrel or statin treatment. In conclusion, patients with previous ST show a higher aggregation level than control subjects independent of statin treatment. Atorvastatin and pravastatin do not interfere with the antiaggregatory effect of aspirin and clopidogrel. In conclusion, drug-drug interaction between dual antiplatelet therapy and atorvastatin or pravastatin seems not to be associated with ST.     

Influence of statin treatment on platelet inhibition by clopidogrel – a randomized comparison of rosuvastatin,atorvastatin and simvastatin co‐treatment

Objectives. Possible interactions between clopidogrel and atorvastatin, simvastatin or rosuvastatin (a ‘non‐CYP3A4’ metabolized statin) were investigated in a randomized prospective study using sensitive and specific ex vivo platelet function tests. Methods. Patients with coronary artery disease participating in a double‐blind study comparing lipid‐lowering effects of atorvastatin (20–80 mg OD; n = 22) and rosuvastatin (10–40 mg OD; n = 24) were studied before and after 2 weeks treatment with clopidogrel 75 mg OD after completed statin dose titration. In addition, 23 patients were randomized to open‐label simvastatin 40 mg OD. Results. Clopidogrel inhibited 10 μmol L^?1 ADP‐induced platelet aggregation by 40 ± 27%, 57 ± 28% and 51 ± 29%, respectively, in patients on rosuvastatin, atorvastatin and simvastatin treatment. The other platelet tests yielded similar results. No dose‐dependent effects of rosuvastatin or atorvastatin co‐treatment on clopidogrel efficacy were observed. Conclusions. Treatment with CYP3A4 metabolized statins, atorvastatin or simvastatin, did not attenuate the platelet inhibitory effect of clopidogrel maintenance treatment compared with the non‐CYP3A4 metabolized, rosuvastatin.     

The inhibitory potency of clopidogrel on ADP-induced platelet activation is not attenuated when it is co-administered with atorvastatin (20 mg/day) for 5 weeks in patients with acute coronary syndromes

The antiplatelet potency of clopidogrel may be attenuated by short-term co-administration of lipophilic statins metabolized through the cytochrome P-450, isoform 3A4. We investigated whether the co-administration of atorvastatin (20?mg/day) for 5 weeks, in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) could affect the antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel. Fifty-one patients with the first episode of an ACS were included in the study. All patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and received a loading dose of 375 mg of clopidogrel, followed by 75 mg/day for at least 3 months. Twenty-six of them presented with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels >100?mg/dl (2.6 mmol/l) (measured within 24 h from the onset of symptoms) and received daily 20 mg/day of atorvastatin. The ADP- or TRAP-induced platelet aggregation, as well as P-selectin and CD40L surface expression, were studied at baseline (within 30 min after admission) and 5 weeks afterwards. Atorvastatin did not influence either the clopidogrel-induced inhibition of platelet aggregation initiated by 5 or 10 microM ADP or the clopidogrel-induced reduction of the membrane expression of P-selectin and CD40L induced by ADP. In conclusion, atorvastatin, even at a dose of 20 mg/day does not affect the antiplatelet efficacy of clopidogrel when co-administered for 5 weeks in ACS patients.     

Clopidogrel inhibits platelet-leukocyte interactions and thrombin receptor agonist peptide-induced platelet activation in patients with an acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVES: We sought to characterize the effects of clopidogrel on the activation of circulating platelets, the activation and aggregation of ex vivo platelets, and the interactions with leukocytes in patients with a non-ST-segment elevation in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). BACKGROUND: The significant benefits of clopidogrel in cardiovascular trials suggest that blockage of the P2Y(12) receptor may be associated with important biologic consequences. METHODS: Blood samples obtained from 23 ACS patients before and 24 h after a loading dose of clopidogrel (300 mg) were analyzed by whole-blood flow cytometry, light transmission aggregometry in platelet-rich plasma, and plasma enzyme-linked immunoassays. A thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRAP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) were used as agonists. Normal individuals pretreated with aspirin served as controls. RESULTS: Clopidogrel attenuated platelet aggregation to both ADP (10 micromol/l) and TRAP (10 micromol/l) by 22% and P-selectin expression by 16% and 25%, respectively. The drug decreased the excess platelet-monocyte and platelet-neutrophil conjugates found in the blood of ACS patients (p < 0.01) and prevented their formation ex vivo with agonist stimulation. Plasma levels of soluble CD40L were reduced by 27% (p < 0.001) and of soluble P-selectin by 15% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Clopidogrel attenuates the agonist effects of ADP and TRAP on platelet secretion, aggregation, and formation of platelet-monocyte and platelet-neutrophil conjugates in patients with ACS. These effects may all contribute to the clinical benefits of the drug in these syndromes.     

Lipophilic statins do not affect the antiplatelet potency of clopidogrel

This letter to the editor discusses the results of the recently published study by Smith et al. which demonstrated that lipophilic statins metabolized through the cytochrome P-450 isoform 3A4 (CYP3A4) do not influence the antiplatelet effectiveness of clopidogrel in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention. These results as well as those of other recent studies suggest that there is no adverse interaction between clopidogrel and CYP3A4-metabolized statins, during the maintenance phase of therapy (i.e., 2 or more days after the drug co-administration) either at the platelet or at the clinical level.     

Multiple antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel are not modulated by statin type in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

We investigated whether statin type or dose influenced the inhibition of platelet function induced by clopidogrel in a prospective, open, parallel group study in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were taking CYP3A4 metabolised atorvastatin (n = 20) or simvastatin (n = 21), non-CYP3A4 metabolised pravastatin (n = 11) or fluvastatin (n = 2), or no statin therapy (n = 5). ADP and TRAP-induced platelet aggregation were measured using optical aggregometry, whole-blood single-platelet counting, and the Ultegra and Plateletworks point-of-care systems. Platelet pro-coagulant activity (annexin V binding and microparticle formation), P-selectin expression and platelet-leukocyte conjugate formation were assessed by flow cytometry. Platelet responses were measured at baseline, 4 h post clopidogrel 300 mg, and after 10 and 28 days with clopidogrel 75 mg daily. Clopidogrel significantly inhibited both ADP and TRAP-induced platelet responses over time, with steady state inhibition achieved by day 10. This was demonstrated by all techniques used. There was no significant effect of statin type or dose on platelet responses by any method at any time-point. In conclusion, statins do not influence the inhibitory effects of clopidogrel on multiple platelet responses, including aggregation, P-selectin expression, platelet-leucocyte conjugate formation and pro-coagulant responses, in patients undergoing elective PCI.     

不同负荷剂量氯吡格雷对血小板聚集率的影响

目的比较两种剂量氯吡格雷的起效时间及安全性,为急性冠状动脉（冠脉）综合征患者用药方案提供依据。方法60例急性冠脉综合征使用不同负荷剂量氯吡格雷患者随机分为A组（300mg）和B组（600mg）,均予氯吡格雷75mg／d后续治疗。以腺苷二磷酸（ADP）5μmol／L及20μmol／L作为诱导剂检测服药前及服药后2h和6h的血小板聚集率,并检测服药前及服药后第3天的血自细胞及血小板计数。结果在ADP20μmoL／L诱导的血小板聚集检测中,两组均显示服药后6h比服药后2h达到更高的血小板聚集抑制水平[A组（29．75±12．11）％比（43．63±14．31）％,P〈0．05;B组（28．86±10．24）％比（34．86±10．84）％,P〈0．05]。B组与A组相比,在服药后2h即起到更加明显的血小板聚集抑制作用[（34．86±10．84）％比（43．63±14．31）％,P〈0．05]。服药后3d内所有人选患者均无出血、自细胞减少及血小板减少等事件发生。结论氯吡格雷600mg作为负荷剂量较之300mg可以更快地达到较高水平的血小板抑制作用,且两者安全性相似。     

他汀类药对氯吡格雷抗血小板作用的影响

目的 前瞻性评价普伐他汀、氟伐他汀、阿托伐他汀对氯吡格雷抗血小板作用的影响.方法 人选连续1015例急性冠状动脉综合征或稳定性心绞痛行冠状动脉造影和(或)支架术患者,分为普伐他汀组(228例)、氟伐他汀组(179例)、阿托伐他汀组(481例)和对照组(127例).比较各组术后支架内血栓发生率、不同浓度(2、5、10、20 μmol)二磷酸腺苷(ADP)诱导的1 min(ADP-1)、5 min(ADP-5)和最大血小板聚集力(ADP-M)及其影响因素.结果 4组患者基础临床情况(除年龄、高血压及冠状动脉造影复查率外)和冠状动脉病变和(或)支架术情况相似,术后支架内血栓发生率(普伐他汀组0.9%、氟伐他汀组1.1%、阿托伐他汀组1.0%、对照组0.8%,P>0.05)和ADP-1、ADP-5、ADP-M与对照组相比差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05).多因素回归分析显示,年龄(B=0.21,P=0.001)、氯吡格雷总量(B=7.30,P=0.002)及低分子肝素的使用(OR=6.71,P=0.01)是影响氯吡格雷抗血小板作用的独立决定因素.结论 普伐他汀、氟伐他汀和阿托伐他汀对氯吡格雷的抗血小板作用无明显影响,而年龄、氯吡格雷总量及低分子肝素使用是决定氯吡格雷抗血小板作用的独立因素.     

Comparison of antiplatelet effect of loading dose of clopidogrel versus abciximab during coronary intervention.

Randomized clinical trials have evidently shown that the addition of thienopyridines or abciximab to standard aspirin results in a significant reduction of ischaemic complications after coronary stent implantation. A head-to-head comparison of these antithrombotic drug regimens during coronary intervention is, however, lacking, and this was the main aim of the present study. Thirty-nine patients with angina pectoris who were scheduled for coronary stent implantation were assigned to either group 1 (160 mg aspirin + 500 mg ticlopidine post-stent), group 2 (160 mg aspirin + abciximab + 500 mg ticlopidine post-stent) or group 3 (160 mg aspirin + loading dose (375/450 mg) clopidogrel pre-stent and 75 mg clopidogrel post-stent). A loading dose of 450 mg clopidogrel was found to be more effective than the standard loading dose of 375 mg. Platelet aggregation induced by 4 micromol/l adenosine diphosphate (ADP) was assessed in samples collected before intervention and 10 min, 4 h and 20 h after intervention. Before intervention, a moderate antiplatelet effect because of aspirin intake was observed (ADP aggregation level, +/- 50%) in all study groups. After intervention, platelet aggregation tended to be enhanced in group 1 while it was strongly inhibited in the groups pre-treated with clopidogrel or abciximab: ADP induced an aggregation level early after intervention of 60 +/- 12% in group 1 (ticlopidine post-stenting) versus 30 +/- 10% in group 3 (loading dose clopidogrel) versus 3 +/- 6% in group 2 (abciximab). Abciximab achieved a more complete inhibition of aggregation than clopidogrel (P = 0.007). The overall complication rate was low with only one major bleeding and one death due to side-branch occlusion with re-infarction occurring, both in the abciximab group. Platelet aggregation during coronary intervention is strongly inhibited by both abciximab and by high loading dose of clopidogrel. Although abciximab showed a stronger antiplatelet effect than clopidogrel, it remains to be established whether this ex vivo superiority of abciximab also translates into an overall clinical benefit in patients with elective stent implantation.     

急性冠状动脉综合征冠状动脉支架术后应用他汀类药物对氯吡格雷抗血小板作用无影响

目的探讨急性冠状动脉综合征（ACS）患者行冠状动脉支架术后服用阿托伐他汀或普伐他汀对氯吡格雷抗血小板作用的影响。方法研究对象为150例2006年4至12月成功实施冠状动脉支架术的住院ACS患者,术后第1天起随机接受阿托伐他汀20mg／d（n=50）、普伐他汀20mg／d（／7,=50）或无他汀（n=50）治疗。围术期抗血小板治疗为阿司匹林300mg／d,当天氯吡格雷负荷量300mg,继以维持量75mg／d。观测各组患者术后第1天（基线值）及第3天的血小板膜糖蛋白P-选择素（CD62P）、血小板活化复合物（PAC-1）表达及20μmol／L二磷酸腺苷（ADP）诱导的血小板最大聚集率（MPAR）。结果三组患者临床及CD62P、PAC-1和MPAR的基线值差异均无统计学意义。各观测指标第二次测定值与基线值的差值显示,阿托伐他汀、普伐他汀和无他汀组的ACD62P[（4．69±16．78）％、（1．35±10．86）％和（2．97±10．21）％]、APAC-1[（12．78±22．07）％、（8．01±21．23）％和（10．65±21．39）％l及AMPAR[（5．44±18．68）％、（7．15±19．59）％和（3．76±23．42）％]差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。急性心肌梗死患者亚组分析结果表明,ACD62P[（7．50±19．35）％、（3．24±11．18）％和（2．53±8．87）％]、APAC-1[（13．40±24．62）％、（11．28±19．90）％和（10．11±21．29）％]及AMPAR[（7．56±19．11）％、（7．87±23．60）％和（6．75±23．30）％]三组间差异亦均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论接受冠状动脉支架术的ACS患者服用阿托伐他汀或普伐他汀后,短期内未发现对氯吡格雷的抗血小板作用产生显著影响。     

Lipophilic statins do not affect the antiplatelet potency of clopidogrel

This letter to the editor discusses the results of the recently published study by Smith et al. which demonstrated that lipophilic statins metabolized through the cytochrome P--450 isoform 3A4 (CYP3A4) do not influence the antiplatelet effectiveness of clopidogrel in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention. These results as well as those of other recent studies suggest that there is no adverse interaction between clopidogrel and CYP3A4-metabolized statins, during the maintenance phase of therapy (i.e., 2 or more days after the drug co-administration) either at the platelet or at the clinical level.     

Platelet function in clopidogrel-treated patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with increased risk of thrombotic complications. ACS enhances platelet activation; whether pretreatment with clopidogrel is sufficient to suppress platelet function in patients with ACS is not known. This study assessed platelet function in patients with and without ACS prior to PCI and after pretreatment with a single dose of 600 mg clopidogrel. Blood samples of 402 patients prior to PCI with (n = 119) or without (n = 283) ACS were collected at least 2 h after 600 mg clopidogrel administration. Maximal platelet aggregation in response to ADP (5 and 20 micromol/l), collagen (4 microg/ml) and TRAP (25 micromol/l) was measured with optical aggregometry. Surface expression of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and P-selectin was assessed with flow cytometry at baseline and after stimulation with 5 and 20 micromol/l ADP. Agonist-induced platelet aggregation did not differ significantly between patients with and without ACS (P > or = 0.15). Parameters of platelet activation (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and P-selectin surface expression) were significantly higher in ACS patients at baseline and after 5 and 20 micromol/l ADP stimulation (P < 0.0001). Patients with ACS continue to exhibit increased platelet activation after pretreatment with 600 mg clopidogrel. This finding supports the need for additional platelet function inhibition during PCI in patients with ACS.     

二磷酸腺苷介导血小板聚集率指导老年择期冠状动脉介入治疗患者术后抗血小板药物使用

目的 评价以二磷酸腺苷(ADP)介导血小板聚集率指导抗血小板药物在老年择期经皮冠状动脉介人治疗(PCI)患者中使用对心血管事件的影响.方法 选取我院2007-2008年老年择期西罗莫司涂层支架植入患者1230例,年龄60～80岁,平均(67.2±10.2)岁,随机选取615例入ADP组,首剂300 mg负荷量后,根据血小板聚集率调整氯吡格雷使用量,分别于用药前、用药第2天、第3天测定ADP介导的血小板聚集率,达标后(聚集率较用药前降低50%)75 mg/d.若未达标,第2、3天可逐次增加300 mg,累计至900 mg;若仍未达标,则改用氯吡格雷75 mg/d联合西洛他唑100 mg/d、阿司匹林100 mg/d三重抗血小板药物治疗持续1年.其余615例入常规组,以常规剂量和方法使用氯吡格雷(首剂300 mg负荷量后,继之以75 mg/d口服持续1年).分别于用药前、用药第3天测定ADP介导的血小板聚集率;两组患者均持续口服氯吡格雷1年.所有患者均在给药前、后进行安全性实验室检查.随访1年,记录心血管事件(心原性死亡、心肌梗死、血运重建、支架血栓事件)和药物不良事件发生率.结果 1230例患者首剂负荷量300 mg后.达标率44.9%ADP组累计总量至900 mg时,ADP组达标率增至67.5%,约32.5%的患者(203/615)仍未达标;改用氯吡格雷、西洛他唑、阿司匹林三重抗血小板药物治疗.相对于常规负荷剂量氯吡格雷,高负荷剂量氯吡格雷有更好的抑制血小板聚集的效果(常规负荷剂量对高负荷剂量,45%对67.5%,P=0.028).平均随访(10.0±2.4)个月,两组心血管事件发生率差异有统计学意义(2.8%对4.9%,P=0.035),常规组急性和亚急性支架血栓事件多于ADP组(4例对1例).所有患者均未出现大出血,两组间轻微出血病例差异无统计学意义,无药物不良反应.结论 PCI术后患者应该检测血小板对氯吡格雷的反应效果;ADP介导的血小板聚集率指导老年择期PCI患者围术期抗血小板药物使用安全、有效,可明显降低1年的心血管事件发生率.     

Sulfonylureas and on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Clopidogrel is a prodrug that needs to be converted in?vivo by several cytochrome (CYP) P450 iso-enzymes to become active. Both clopidogrel and the oral hypoglycemic drug class sulfonylureas are metabolized by the iso-enzyme CYP2C9. The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship of sulfonylureas and on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients undergoing elective coronary stent implantation. In this prospective, observational study, on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity was quantified using adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced light transmittance aggregometry in 139 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients undergoing elective coronary stent implantation treated with clopidogrel and aspirin. High on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity was defined as >70.7% platelet reactivity to 20 μmol/L ADP. A total of 53 patients (38.1%) were on concomitant treatment with sulfonylureas. The remaining 86 patients were on other hypoglycemic drugs. On-clopidogrel platelet reactivity was significantly higher in patients with concomitant sulfonylurea treatment as compared to patients without concomitant sulfonylurea treatment (for 5 μmol/L ADP: 46.0% ± 11.8 vs. 40.6% ± 16.0; p=0.035, adjusted p=0.032 and for 20 μmol/L ADP: 64.6% ± 10.8 vs. 58.7% ± 15.5; p=0.019, adjusted p=0.017). The concomitant use of sulfonylureas was associated with a 2.2-fold increased risk of high on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.7, p=0.039 and after adjustment for confounders: OR(adj) 2.0, 95% CI 1.0-5.7, p=0.048). Concomitant treatment with sulfonylureas might be associated with decreased platelet inhibition by clopidogrel in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients on dual antiplatelet therapy undergoing elective coronary stent implantation.     

Thienopyridine-Associated Drug-Drug Interactions: Pharmacologic Mechanisms and Clinical Relevance

The thienopyridines inhibit platelet activation and aggregation by directly inhibiting the platelet P2Y12 adenosine diphosphate receptor. The available thienopyridines are prodrugs and must be converted into active forms by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system. An important portion of the variability in platelet response to clopidogrel is explained by the variability in plasma concentrations of the clopidogrel active metabolite. Several reports have thus progressively raised concerns about potential drug interactions as a result of inhibition or induction of CYP450 enzymes. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics studies have notably shown that concomitant use of clopidogrel and some proton pump inhibitors reduces the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel. Several other drugs (metabolized through CYP3A4 such as statins or antifungals) similarly impact the pharmacologic response to clopidogrel. Conversely, agents that induce CYP activity increase clopidogrel responsiveness. However, the data supporting the clinical relevance of such pharmacological drug interactions have been controversial. This review will provide an overview of the mechanisms underlying thienopyridine-associated drug-drug interactions, and highlight the most recent developments in the field and propose guidance for the practitioner.     

Cytochrome P450 2C19 loss-of-function polymorphism is a major determinant of clopidogrel responsiveness in healthy subjects

The capacity of clopidogrel to inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation shows wide intersubject variability. To determine whether frequent functional variants of genes coding for candidate cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes involved in clopidogrel metabolic activation (CYP2C19*2, CYP2B6*5, CYP1A2*1F, and CYP3A5*3 variants) influence the platelet responsiveness to clopidogrel, we conducted a prospective pharmacogenetic study in 28 healthy white male volunteers treated for 7 days with clopidogrel 75 mg/d. We observed that pharmacodynamic response to clopidogrel was significantly associated with the CYP2C19 genotype. Twenty of the subjects were wild-type CYP2C19 (*1/*1) homozygotes, while the other 8 subjects were heterozygous for the loss-of-function polymorphism CYP2C19*2 (*1/*2). Baseline platelet activity was not influenced by the CYP2C19 genotype. In contrast, platelet aggregation in the presence of 10 muM ADP decreased gradually during treatment with clopidogrel 75 mg once daily in *1/*1 subjects, reaching 48.9% +/- 14.9% on day 7 (P < .001 vs baseline), whereas it did not change in *1/*2 subjects (71.8% +/- 14.6% on day 7, P = .22 vs baseline, and P < .003 vs *1/*1 subjects). Similar results were found with VASP phosphorylation. The CYP2C19*2 loss-of-function allele is associated with a marked decrease in platelet responsiveness to clopidogrel in young healthy male volunteers and may therefore be an important genetic contributor to clopidogrel resistance in the clinical setting.     

Individual variations of platelet inhibition after loading doses of clopidogrel

Abstract . Järemo P, Lindahl TL, Fransson SG, Richter A (Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden). Individual variations of platelet inhibition after loading doses of clopidogrel. J Intern Med 2002; 252: 233–238. Objective. To investigate individual variations of platelet inhibition after clopidogrel‐loading doses. Setting. Department of Cardiology, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. Subjects. Individuals with stable angina pectoris (n = 18) subject to percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and subsequent stenting were investigated. Methods and experimental protocol. A 300‐mg clopidogrel loading dose was administrated immediately after stenting (day 1) followed by an additional 75 mg clopidogrel after 24 h (day 2). The ADP‐evoked platelet fibrinogen binding was analysed to estimate platelet reactivity immediately before angiography and on day 2. A flow cytometry technique was used with two ADP solutions (final concentrations 0.6 and 1.7 μmol L^?1) employed as platelet activating agents. Soluble P‐selectin was used as a marker of platelet activity. Results. When using 1.7 μmol L^?1 ADP to activate platelets four individuals had a strong inhibition (i.e. platelet reactivity <10% of the day 1‐value day 2). In contrast, five patients demonstrated a weak inhibition (i.e. platelet reactivity >60% of the day 1‐value day 2). Similar results were obtained when using 0.6 μmol L^?1 ADP as a platelet‐activating agent. Clopidogrel, however, fails to suppress platelet activity as estimated from soluble P‐selectin. Conclusions. Clopidogrel evoked platelet inhibition exhibits a considerable individual heterogeneity. Some individuals only had weak responses whereas others displayed strong platelet inhibition. The present flow cytometry technique appears suitable for identifying patients with abnormal reactions after clopidogrel exposure.