Comparison of turbidimetric aggregation and in vitro bleeding time (PFA-100) for monitoring the platelet inhibitory profile of antiplatelet agents in patients undergoing stent implantation

The present study compared classical ADP-induced platelet aggregation vs. PFA-100 closure times using collagen/ADP membrane cartridges to monitor the degree of platelet-inhibiting effect of three drug regimens: ticlopidin, abciximab/ticlopidin and loading dose clopidogrel, each on top of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) during and after elective stent placement (intervention) in a total of 31 patients with acute coronary syndrome. Ticlopidin was started directly after stent implantation, abciximab was started before coronary intervention and given intravenously for 12 h, and a clopidogrel loading dose was given before intervention. The 10 patients treated with ticlopidin (500 mg daily) showed no significant prolongation of PFA closure times and a slight increase of ADP-induced platelet aggregation shortly after intervention. In 11 patients treated with abciximab/ticlopidin, the PFA closure times were significantly prolonged, and ADP-induced platelet aggregation was reduced by more than 80% during the 12-h abciximab infusion after intervention. The 10 patients pretreated with loading dose clopidogrel (450 mg followed by 75 mg daily) showed an intermediate but significant prolongation of PFA closure times and reduction of ADP-induced platelet aggregation at levels between the ticlopidin/aspirin- and the abciximab/ticlopidin/aspirin-treated groups. At 20 h after intervention, a similar degree of PFA closure time prolongation and inhibition of ADP-induced aggregation was observed in the abciximab/ticlopidin/aspirin- and the clopidogrel/aspirin-treated patient groups. Both measurement of PFA-100 closure times and inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation showed a similar degree of platelet inhibition, but had rather broad SD ranges, which limit their precision for the follow-up of individual patients. In conclusion, abciximab on top of ticlopidin/aspirin showed a stronger antiplatelet effect for only less than 20 h, as compared to loading dose clopidogrel/aspirin in acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing stent implantation. Whether such a short-term superiority of abciximab, as compared to loading dose clopidogrel, translates into an overall clinical benefit of thombotic and bleeding complications remains to be established in a randomized clinical trial.     

Comparative arterial antithrombotic activity of clopidogrel and acetyl salicylic acid in the pig.

We investigated the comparative antithrombotic properties of clopidogrel, an analogue of ticlopidine, and aspirin, using the Folts' model on femoral arteries in 22 pigs. On each animal, clopidogrel or aspirin were used to treat the thrombotic process on the left femoral artery and to prevent this process on the right femoral artery. Sequentially: an injury and stenosis were carried out on the left femoral artery; the thrombotic process was monitored with a Doppler during a 30-min observation period for cyclic flow reductions or permanent cessation of flow; after the first cyclic flow reduction occurred, clopidogrel (5 mg kg-1) or aspirin (2.5, 5, 100 mg kg-1) were injected intravenously; if cyclic flow reductions were abolished, epinephrine (0.4 micrograms kg-1 min-1) was injected to try to restore cyclic flow reductions and/or permanent cessation of flow; then injury and stenosis were applied on the right femoral artery. Before and after injection of clopidogrel or aspirin, ear immersion bleeding times and ex-vivo platelet aggregation were performed. Clopidogrel (n = 7) abolished cyclic flow reductions were efficiently prevented, even for two injuries. Basal bleeding time (5 min 28) was lengthened (> 15 min, 30 min after clopidogrel and remained prolonged even after 24 h). ADP-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited (more than 78%). Comparatively, aspirin had a moderate and no dose-dependent effect. Aspirin 2.5 mg kg-1 (n = 6) abolished cyclic flow reductions in 2 animals, CFR reoccurred spontaneously in one animal and epinephrine restored it in a second animal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Aqueous extracts of Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) decrease platelet aggregation induced by ADP and thrombin in vitro and rats arterio--venous shunt thrombosis in vivo

Objective

To study the effects of aqueous extract of Ocimum basilicum L (OBL) on platelet aggregation and experimental thrombus.

Methods

Platelet aggregation induced by ADP (5 μM) and thrombin (4 UI), and thrombus weight in an arteriovenous thrombosis (AVT) model were tested after 2 weeks treatment with 15, 75 and 375 mg/kg OBL orally in rats, compared to 8.8 mg/kg/day aspirin. AVT was also tested 2 h after 75 mg/kg OBL orally, after 3 and 7 days treatment, and one, three and seven days after the end of a two-week treatment. Analysis was done by ANOVA followed by protected t-tests (Tukey).

Results

OBL (15, 75, 375 mg/Kg) dose-dependently inhibits platelet aggregation by ADP and thrombin, with 75 mg/kg/day having approximately the same effect as 8.8 mg/kg/day aspirin. ADP induced aggregation reached 45%, 28% and 18% for OBL, respectively, 15, 75, 375 mg/kg compared to 71% for control and 27% for aspirin (all p < 0.01 except aspirin vs. OBL 75 mg/kg/day p = 0.7). Thrombin-induced aggregation reached 33%, 22%, 21% for OBL, respectively, 15, 75, 375 mg/kg compared to 67% for control and 48% for aspirin (all p < 0.01 except OBL 75 vs. OBL 375 mg/kg/day, p = 1.0). Compared to a control thrombus weight of 48.1 mg (SD 4.9), thrombus weight was 29.4 (3.3), 19.0 (1.9) and 12.3 (1.7) after treatment for 2 weeks with 15, 75 and 375 mg/kg OBL, respectively, and 27.4 (5.3) after 8.8 mg/kg aspirin (all p < 0.001 except aspirin vs. OBL 75 mg/kg/day p = 1.0). Maximum effect of OBL was reached after one week's treatment. The effect subsided between 3 and 7 days.

Conclusion

OBL possesses an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation induced by ADP and thrombin, that is dose-dependent and results in an anti-thrombotic effect in vivo which develops progressively over 7 days and disappears over 3-7 days. The active ingredient now needs to be characterized.     

Arterial antithrombotic effects of aspirin, heparin, enoxaparin and clopidogrel alone, or in combination, in the rat

INTRODUCTION: Many antithrombotic drugs may have a deleterious effect on normal haemostasis leading to bleeding complications. The aim of this study was to determine if sub-therapeutic (low) doses of antithrombotic agents, when administered in combination, have enhanced efficacy without augmentation of bleeding time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antithrombotic effects of i.v. aspirin (4-30 mg/kg), heparin (100-500 U/kg), enoxaparin (4-30 mg/kg) and clopidogrel (10-20 mg/kg) were studied in a rat Folts-like preparation of carotid arterial thrombosis. The frequency of cyclic flow reductions (CFRs; indicating occlusive thrombus formation) and bleeding time were measured. Drug doses that were singly ineffective at preventing occlusive thrombus formation were tested in the following combinations: aspirin (10 mg/kg) with heparin (250 U/kg); aspirin (4 mg/kg) with enoxaparin (4 mg/kg); and aspirin (10 mg/kg) with clopidogrel (10 mg/kg). RESULTS: Control period (pretreatment) CFRs were not significantly different between groups; average 7.0+/-0.3 CFRs/30 min (n=64). Tail bleeding time before drug(s) was 3.1+/-0.1 min (n=86). When administered alone, aspirin (4-30 mg/kg), heparin (250 U/kg) or enoxaparin (4 mg/kg) had no effect on CFRs or bleeding time. Heparin (500 U/kg), enoxaparin (10 and 30 mg/kg) and clopidogrel (20 mg/kg) significantly decreased CFRs. Single administration of heparin (500 U/kg) or enoxaparin (30 mg/kg) increased bleeding time by 4- or 11-fold. When co-administered, aspirin 10 mg/kg and heparin 250 U/kg decreased CFRs, but also increased bleeding time by 11-fold. However, combination of aspirin and enoxaparin (4 mg/kg each), or aspirin and clopidogrel (10 mg/kg each), decreased CFRs with no effect on bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: In a preparation of arterial thrombosis in the rat, combinations of sub-efficacious (low) doses of aspirin with enoxaparin or clopidogrel inhibited thrombus formation without augmenting bleeding time. However, low-dose aspirin combined with heparin, whilst inhibiting thrombus formation, exacerbated bleeding time. If these findings translate into the clinic, the use of effective low-dose combinations may have therapeutic advantages.     

Thrombostatin inhibits cyclic flow variations in stenosed canine coronary arteries

Thrombostatins are a group of compounds based upon a breakdown product of bradykinin, RPPGF. They inhibit alpha-thrombin-induced platelet activation by binding to protease activated receptor 1 and, at a lower affinity, by interacting with thrombin's active site. After a single intravenous infusion of MAP4-RPPGF (11.58 mg/kg), its t1/2alpha was 4.5 min with a clearance of 2.0 ml/min. MAP4-RPPGF administration had a sustained antiplatelet effect, preventing gamma-thrombin-induced (12.5 nM) platelet activation for 4 h. Its antiplatelet effect summated with that of aspirin and/or clopidogrel. MAP4-RPPGF was compared with aspirin and clopidogrel in the Folts model of coronary artery thrombosis. Dogs were randomized to 3 treatment groups: aspirin 1.14 mg/kg i.v., clopidogrel 0.5 mg/kg i.v., or MAP4-RPPGF 0.77 mg/kg i.v. Cyclic flow variations (CFV) were recorded in 5 untreated dogs hourly for 3 successive hours and for 1 h before (all groups >11 CFV/h), and for 2 h after drug infusion in each of the 3 treatment groups. After 1 h drug treatment, all groups of animals had <6 CFV/h; after 2 h treatment, all had <1 CFV/h. All agents significantly reduced CFV from control at each hour, but none was significantly better than any other. Thrombostatin was as effective as aspirin or clopidogrel in inhibiting coronary artery thrombosis in this canine model.     

阿司匹林与氯吡格雷双联对TIA患者凝血功能的影响

目的探讨阿司匹林与氯吡格雷双联对短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)患者血小板聚集率和纤维蛋白原的影响。方法100例短暂性脑缺血发作患者随机分为2组,在常规控制血压、血糖、血脂等基础上,治疗组给予阿司匹林联合氯吡格雷治疗,对照组给予阿司匹林,其中阿司匹林100mg/d,氯吡格雷75mg/d。观察2组血小板聚集率与纤维蛋白原相关指标及临床疗效。结果治疗7~14d后,与对照组比较,治疗组血小板聚集率显著改善(P0.05),纤维蛋白原水平下降更显著(P0.05);治疗组临床疗效显著优于对照组(P0.05)。2组均未出现严重出血并发症。结论阿司匹林与氯吡格雷双联治疗短暂性脑缺血发作可改善患者血小板聚集率,降低纤维蛋白原水平,临床疗效显著。     

Reduced thrombus cohesion in an ex vivo human model of arterial thrombosis induced by clopidogrel treatment: kinetics of the effect and influence of single and double loading-dose regimens

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of clopidogrel on ex vivo thrombogenesis with those on ADP-dependent platelet aggregation, and to compare single and double loading-dose regimens. METHODS AND RESULTS: Step 1: Volunteers (n=12) received clopidogrel 75 mg/day for 8 days. ADP-induced platelet aggregation was measured in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Thrombogenesis was measured in an ex vivo model. Clopidogrel produced rapid platelet inhibition, increasing up to day 5. Maximal intensity of platelet aggregation correlated with density of platelet thrombus, surface of collagen covered by platelets and thrombus cross-sectional surface (p<0.001). Step 2: On day 1, volunteers (n=60) randomly received clopidogrel 75 mg, a single 300-mg loading dose or two 300-mg loading doses separated by a 12-h interval. On day 2, all volunteers received clopidogrel 75 mg. Both loading dose regimens enhanced platelet inhibition at all time points (p<0.03 vs. clopidogrel 75 mg). After 3 h, the antiplatelet effect of a loading dose was substantial, and the mean decrease in dense thrombus surface was greater in the loading-dose groups than in the 75 mg group (p=0.041 for the single loading dose). Ex vivo, there were no significant differences between loading-dose groups. CONCLUSIONS: Clopidogrel reduces arterial thrombus cohesion by an effect that correlates with inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. A single 300-mg loading dose provides a rapid onset of such an antithrombotic effect, which was more significant at 24 h with the double loading dose.     

Nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel versus aspirin plus clopidogrel against platelet thromboembolism and intimal thickening in mice

Clopidogrel plus aspirin is the treatment of choice for patients undergoing percutaneous, coronary interventions with stenting, but it does not prevent restenosis. NCX-4016, a nitric oxide-releasing aspirin (nitroaspirin), exerts a wider range of antiplatelet actions compared to aspirin, superior antithrombotic activity and reduces restenosis after arterial injury in animals. The aim of the present study was to compare the combination of nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel with aspirin plus clopidogrel in a model of platelet pulmonary thromboembolism, bleeding and intimal thickening in mice. Drugs were administered orally for 5 days; the antithrombotic effects were evaluated against collagen plus epinephrine-induced pulmonary thromboembolism, the haemorrhagic effects by tail transection bleeding time and the effects on neointima proliferation by histomorphology of photochemically injured femoral arteries. Lung platelet emboli were reduced significantly and more effectively by nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel (-56%, p<0.05 vs control) than by aspirin plus clopidogrel (-26%, p<0.05 vs control). Ex vivo platelet aggregation was inhibited maximally by nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel. Aspirin plus clopidogrel strikingly prolonged the bleeding time while nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel induced a lesser prolongation. Nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel significantly reduced intimal thickening of the femoral artery while aspirin plus clopidogrel was ineffective. Nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel is more effective and less prohaemorrhagic than aspirin plus clopidogrel in mice; provided these data are confirmed in other animal models, nitroaspirin plus clopidogrel may represent a new regimen to be tested in patients undergoing coronary revascularization procedures.     

Experimental carotid stenosis and endothelial injury in the rabbit: an in vivo model to study intravascular platelet aggregation.

Previous studies have shown that experimental canine coronary artery stenosis associated with endothelial injury results in a typical pattern of coronary flow characterized by gradual decreases in coronary flow to almost zero values followed by restorations of flow to normal values. This pattern of flow, called cyclic flow reductions (CFRs), is the consequence of recurrent platelet aggregation at the site of the stenosis and endothelial injury and subsequent dislodgement of the thrombus. In the present study, platelet activation and aggregation in vivo was induced by placing an external constrictor around carotid arteries with endothelial injury in anesthetized rabbits. Carotid blood flow velocity was measured continuously with a Doppler flow probe positioned proximally to the constrictor. After placement of the constrictor, CFRs developed in 14 of 14 rabbits with a mean frequency of 16.5 +/- 2.3 cycles/h. CFRs were observed for 30 min, and the animals were treated with either an i.v. bolus of aspirin (10 mg/kg) or R 68070 (20 mg/kg), a drug with simultaneous TxA2 synthase and TxA2/PGH2 receptor blocking properties. Aspirin completely inhibited CFRs in 4 of 7 rabbits, whereas R 68070 eliminated CFRs in 7 of 7 animals. In the 3 animals that did not respond to aspirin, administration of ketanserin (0.25 mg/kg i.v.), a selective serotonin S2 receptor antagonist, completely abolished CFRs. Both aspirin and R 68070 resulted in a marked reduction in serum TxB2 formation and in a complete inhibition of ex vivo platelet aggregation in response to arachidonic acid, whereas aggregation in response to U46619, a TxA2 mimetic, was inhibited only in R 68070-treated rabbits.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pharmacologic inhibition of platelet vWF-GPIb alpha interaction prevents coronary artery thrombosis

Under high shear arterial blood flow von Willebrand Factor (vWF) binds the platelet receptor glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha, leading to platelet adhesion, activation and thrombosis. Blockade of vWF-GPIb alpha interactions by GPG-290 was investigated in a canine model of coronary artery thrombosis alone and in combination with clopidogrel. GPG-290 (100 microg/kg, n=6; 500 microg/kg, n=6) prolonged time to thrombotic occlusion (TTO) to 105+/-34 and 156+/-23 (p<0.05) min, respectively compared to the saline treated control group (32+/-6 min, n=6). Patency of the injured vessel was sustained in 1/6 (100 microg/kg) and 3/6 vessels (500 microg/kg) 4 hours after injury, in contrast to 0/6 in the control group. There was an increase in bleeding after the 500 microg/kg dose, but only at the 1 hr time point. Clopidogrel was studied in two dosing regimens representing either a clinical pretreatment regimen (PTR) of 4.3 mg/kg on day -2 followed by 1.1 mg/kg daily for 2 days prior to the procedure or pre-procedural loading dose regimen (LDR) of 4.3 mg/kg 3 hr pre-procedure. The PTR and LDR clopidogrel treatments prolonged TTO to 98.2+/-30.0 min and 136.1+/-39.5 min (p<0.05), and sustained patency in 1/6 and 4/8 vessels, respectively. However, template bleeding time in the LDR clopidogrel group was sustained higher than the control group. The combination of PTR clopidogrel and GPG-290 (100 microg/kg) prolonged TTO equivalent to LDR clopidogrel alone (141.4 +/- 35.1 min) and sustained patency in 3/7 dogs, without increased bleeding while LDR clopidogrel combined with 100 microg/kg GPG-290 prevented occlusion in 5/8 dogs and further prolonged TTO (173.5+/-32.6 min) but was associated with increased bleeding compared to control. GPG-290 is an antithrombotic agent that may be combined with lower doses of clopidogrel to yield similar antithrombotic efficacy as higher loading doses.     

Genetic polymorphisms of the platelet receptors P2Y(12), P2Y(1) and GP IIIa and response to aspirin and clopidogrel

INTRODUCTION: There is wide variability in the responses of individual patients to aspirin and clopidogrel. Polymorphisms of several platelet receptors have been related to increased platelet aggregation. We therefore aimed to evaluate whether these polymorphisms are related to altered response to aspirin or clopidogrel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (n=120) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention who received aspirin for > or =1 week but not clopidogrel were included. Blood samples were drawn at baseline and 20-24h after a 300-mg clopidogrel dose. Aspirin insensitivity was defined as 5 microM ADP-induced aggregation > or =70% and 0.5 mg/mL arachidonic acid-induced aggregation > or =20%. Clopidogrel insensitivity was defined as baseline minus post-treatment aggregation < or =10% in response to 5 and 20 microM ADP. PlA polymorphism of glycoprotein IIIa, T744C polymorphism of the P2Y(12) gene and the 1622A>G polymorphism of the P2Y(1) gene were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: There were no differences in polymorphism frequencies between drug-insensitive vs. drug-sensitive patients. There were also no significant differences in response to aspirin (assessed by arachidonic acid-induced aggregation) or to clopidogrel (assessed by ADP-induced aggregation or activation markers) when patients were grouped according to genotype. The only trend observed was lower reduction in PAC-1 binding following clopidogrel in PlA(2) carriers (P=0.065). CONCLUSIONS: We did not find an association between polymorphisms in the platelet receptors GP IIIa, P2Y(12) or P2Y(1) and response to aspirin or clopidogrel in cardiac patients. These findings suggest that the variability in response to anti-platelet drugs is multi-factorial and is not caused only by single gene mutations.     

Effect of clopidogrel treatment on stress-induced platelet activation and myocardial ischemia in aspirin-treated patients with stable coronary artery disease

Stress may counteract responses to antiplatelet drug treatment. We investigated if adding clopidogrel to aspirin treatment could attenutate stress-induced platelet activation and myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Thirty-one male patients with documented CAD-treated with aspirin (75-160 mg daily) were randomized to co-treatment with clopidogrel (n = 16) or placebo (n = 15). A symptom-limited exercise test and 48-hour (h) Holter monitoring were performed before and after two weeks of double-blind treatment. Platelet function was assessed by flow cytometry and impedance aggregometry in whole blood. Exercise-induced and ambulatory ischemia was assessed from electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings. Clopidogrel treatment inhibited ADP-induced platelet P-selectin expression by 64% (22-87%), and attenuated the P-selectin response to thrombin (p < 0.001), and platelet aggregation induced by low-dose collagen (p < 0.01). Exercise ( approximately 110W) increased heart rate similarly, and caused approximately 1.8 mm ST-segment depression both before and after treatment. Exercise caused platelet activation, i.e. increased circulating activated single platelets and platelet-platelet aggregates, enhanced the in-vitro responsiveness to ADP or thrombin stimulation, and increased platelet-leukocyte aggregation. Clopidogrel inhibited ADP-induced platelet activation to a similar relative degree at rest and during exercise, but did not attenuate the platelet activating effect of exercise. Addition of clopidogrel to aspirin treatment did not attenuate either ambulatory or exercise-induced ischemia. In conclusion, adding clopidogrel to aspirin treatment inhibited platelet activation by both ADP, thrombin and collagen in vitro, but did not influence the prothrombotic responses to exercise. Intensified antiplatelet treatment did not reduce ECG signs of either exercise-induced or ambulatory myocardial ischemia.     

Comparison of PD0348292, a selective factor Xa inhibitor, to antiplatelet agents for the inhibition of arterial thrombosis

The objective of this study was to determine if orally-administered PD0348292, a direct specific factor Xa inhibitor, inhibits thrombosis following porcine carotid arterial injury comparably to aspirin or clopidogrel alone or in combination. We further sought to determine whether the antithrombotic efficacy in vivo could be predicted using an ex-vivo perfusion chamber. Oral treatments included: PD0348292 (0.4, 0.9, or 4.3 mg/kg); PD0348292 (0.4 mg/kg) plus aspirin (325 mg); aspirin; clopidogrel (75 mg); aspirin plus clopidogrel; or vehicle (n = 6-10/group). Aspirin and clopidogrel were administered 27 and four hours pre-injury and PD0348292 or vehicle was administered four hours pre-injury. Both carotid arteries were crush-injured, and thrombus was measured by detection of (111)In-platelets over 30 minutes. Prior to injury, the antithrombotic efficacy was assessed by ex-vivo perfusion chamber platelet deposition. PD0348292 produced dose-dependent prothrombin time (0.9- to 2.9-fold) and aPTT (1.4- to 2.5-fold) prolongations. Bleeding times were significantly prolonged in each active drug group compared to vehicle, but were not significantly different between drug groups. PD0348292 significantly inhibited arterial platelet deposition (x10(6)/cm(2)) at 4.3(549 +/- 1,066), 0.9 (399 +/- 162) and 0.4 mg/kg (531 +/- 470) compared to vehicle (2,242 +/- 1,443). Aspirin (992 +/- 973), clopidogrel (537 +/- 483), clopidogrel plus aspirin (228 +/- 66) or PD0348292 plus aspirin (558 +/- 317) also significantly inhibited platelet deposition, although these values were not significantly different than with any dose of PD348292. Perfusion chamber platelet deposition correlated significantly with in-vivo anti-thrombotic response. In conclusion, PD0348292 inhibited arterial thrombosis comparable to aspirin plus clopidogrel. Perfusion chamber methodology may be useful in predicting in-vivo antithrombotic efficacy.     

Prevalence of clopidogrel non-responders among patients with stable angina pectoris scheduled for elective coronary stent placement

Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel decreases the rate of stent thrombosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, despite intensified antiplatelet treatment, up to 4.7% of the patients undergoing coronary stenting develop thrombotic stent occlusion, suggesting incomplete platelet inhibition due to clopidogrel resistance. We evaluated the percentage of clopidogrel non-responders among 105 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing elective PCI. All patients were treated regularly with aspirin 100 mg/d and received a loading dose of 600 mg clopidogrel followed by a maintenance dose of 75 mg/d before PCI. Clopidogrel non-responders were defined by an inhibition of ADP (5 and 20 Mol/L) induced platelet aggregation that was less than 10% when compared to baseline values 4 h after clopidogrel intake. Semi-responders were identified by an inhibition of 10 to 29%. Patients with an inhibition over 30% were regarded as responders. We found that 5 (ADP 5 Mol/L) to 11% (ADP 20 Mol/L) of the patients were non-responders and 9 to 26% were semi-responders. Among the group of non-responders there were two incidents of subacute stent thrombosis after PCI. We conclude that a subgroup of patients undergoing PCI does not adequately respond to clopidogrel, which may correspond to the occurrence of thromboischemic complications. Point-of-care testing may help to identify these patients who may then benefit from an alternative antiplatelet therapy.     

Delayed thrombin-induced platelet-fibrin clot generation by clopidogrel: a new dose-related effect demonstrated by thrombelastography in patients undergoing coronary artery stenting

BACKGROUND: We have previously demonstrated that clopidogrel reduces platelet activation and aggregation in patients undergoing stenting. However, the effect of the clopidogrel loading dose on the rate of thrombin-induced platelet-fibrin clot formation is unknown in this patient population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using thrombelastography (TEG) we measured the time to platelet-fibrin clot formation (R), a marker of the speed of thrombin generation, in 120 patients undergoing elective coronary artery stenting treated with standard and high loading doses of clopidogrel. Platelet reactivity to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) by light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) was determined simultaneously. Measurements were made immediately before and at 24 h after clopidogrel treatment. Clopidogrel produced a prolongation in R (4.4+/-1.4 min pre vs. 5.4+/-1.7 min post, p<0.001) that directly correlated with the change in platelet aggregation (r=0.65, p<0.0001). Prolongation in R was greatest in patients treated with a high loading dose (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed thrombin-induced platelet-fibrin clot formation as measured by TEG is a newly reported dose-related effect of clopidogrel that may contribute to the overall antithrombotic properties of the drug in patients undergoing stenting. This effect was more marked in patients loaded with 600 mg, lending further mechanistic support for this dose of clopidogrel as a more effective antithrombotic regimen than the standard 300 mg dose. Measurement of R may serve as a new indicator of clopidogrel responsiveness.     

Antithrombotic activity of Z4A5, a new platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist evaluated in a rabbit arteriovenous shunt thrombosis model

Introduction

The antithrombotic effect of the glycopreotein IIb/IIIa (GP IIb/IIIa) receptor antagonist Z4A5, exert alone or combination with heparin, and/or aspirin, was examined in a rabbit arteriovenous shunt thrombosis model.

Materials and Methods

Thrombosis was induced by the insertion of a silk thread (thrombogenic substrate) into an extracorporeal shunt. Before and after drug administration (0, 5, and 15 min), ex vivo adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation and coagulation parameters (prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)) were determined in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet poor-plasma (PPP), respectively.

Results

Our data demonstrated that, compared to the control, Z4A5 decreased the thrombus weight (31-65%) in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation (47-98%) 5 min after Z4A5 administration (25-100 mg/kg). However, PT and APTT remained stable, even at the highest dose (100 mg/kg). Heparin (100 U/kg) and aspirin (15 mg/kg) also significantly reduced thrombus mass, but this effect was accompanied by an increase of APTT by heparin. Furthermore, the combination of heparin (100 U/kg) and a low dose of Z4A5 (25 mg/kg) failed to produce an additional benefit beyond that provided by heparin or Z4A5 alone, whereas Z4A5 (25 mg/kg) plus aspirin (15 mg/kg) potentiated the antithrombotic effects of both compounds without further increasing the values of coagulation.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that Z4A5 is an effective antithrombotic agent with no significant effects on values of coagulation. Furthermore, Z4A5 can potentiate these antithrombotic effects when prescribed with aspirin.     

Antiplatelet and antithrombotic activity of SL65.0472, a mixed 5-HT1B/5-HT2A receptor antagonist

The antiplatelet and antithrombotic activity of SL65.0472 (7-fluoro-2-oxo-4-[2-[4-(thieno [3,2-c]pyrin-4-yl) piperazin-1-yl]ethyl]-1,2-di-hydroquinoline-acetamide), a mixed 5-HT1B/5-HT2A receptor antagonist was investigated on 5HT-induced human platelet activation in vitro, and in rat, rabbit and canine platelet dependent thrombosis models. SL65.0472 inhibited 5-HT-induced platelet shape change in the presence of EDTA (IC50 values = 35, 69 and 225 nM in rabbit, rat and human platelet rich plasma (PRP)), and also inhibited aggregation induced in human PRP by 3-5 microM 5-HT + threshold concentrations of ADP (0.5-1 microM) or collagen (0.3 microg/ml) with mean IC50 values of 49 +/- 13 and 48 +/- 6 nM respectively. SL65.0472 inhibited thrombus formation when given both intravenously 5 min and orally 2 h prior to assembly of an arterio-venous (A-V) shunt in rats as from 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg respectively. It was active in a rabbit A-V shunt model with significant decreases in thrombus weight as from 0.1 mg/kg i. v. and at 10 mg/kg p.o. The delay to occlusion in an electric current-induced rabbit femoral artery thrombosis model was increased by 251% (p <0.05) after 20 mg/kg p.o. SL65.0472 (30 microg/kg i.v.) virtually abolished coronary cyclic flow variations (7.2 +/- 1.0/h to 0.6 +/- 0.6/h, p <0.05) and increased minimum coronary blood flow (1.2 +/- 0.8 ml/min to 31.8 +/- 8.4 ml/min, p <0.05) in a coronary artery thrombosis model in the anaesthetised dog. Finally, SL65.0472 significantly increased the amount of blood lost after rat tail transection at 3 mg/kg p.o. Thus the anti-5-HT2A component of SL65.0472 is reflected by its ability to inhibit 5-HT-induced platelet activation, and platelet-rich thrombus formation.     

Anti-human vWF monoclonal antibody, AJvW-2 Fab, inhibits repetitive coronary artery thrombosis without bleeding time prolongation in dogs

The antithrombotic and antihaemostatic effects of the monoclonal antibody against human vWF (AJvW-2 Fab) were investigated in comparison with those of the monoclonal antibody against platelet GPIIb/IIIa (abciximab) in dogs. The ex vivo platelet aggregation and template bleeding time were measured before, 5, 90, 210 min and 24 h after injection of either AJvW-2 Fab or abciximab in anesthetized beagle dogs. Plasma concentration, vWF occupancy and plasma vWF antigen level were also measured by ELISA. In addition, the antithrombotic effect was evaluated in a canine model of repetitive coronary thrombosis (Folts model). AJvW-2 Fab significantly inhibited the ex vivo botrocetin-induced platelet aggregation at 0.18 mg/kg (53% plasma vWF occupancy) and also inhibited cyclic flow reductions (CFRs) at 0.06 mg/kg (31% occupancy). A significant prolongation of the bleeding time was observed at 1.8 mg/kg (95% occupancy), which was 30 times as high as the antithrombotic effective dose. Whereas, abciximab significantly inhibited both the ex vivo ADP-induced platelet aggregation and CFRs at 0.8 mg/kg, which was the minimally effective dose, also resulting in a significant prolongation of the bleeding time. These results suggest that blockade of the GPIb-vWF axis with AJvW-2 Fab leads to the inhibition of thrombus formation in the stenosed coronary arteries without less bleeding time prolongation than the GPIIb/IIIa blockade with abciximab.     

Effects of pretreatment with clopidogrel on platelet and coagulation activation in patients undergoing elective coronary stenting

BACKGROUND: Current data suggest that pretreatment with clopidogrel (in addition to aspirin) prior to elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) might be associated with a reduced incidence of subsequent adverse ischemic events. The aim of this placebo-controlled study was to find out whether an extended pretreatment period with clopidogrel before an elective PCI might confer a superior inhibition of the platelet activation and aggregation than clopidogrel given not until PCI. METHODS: Twenty patients with stable angina being already on aspirin were randomly assigned to receive the loading dose of 300 mg clopidogrel, either 24 h before or immediately after stent implantation. At several time points before and after PCI, the activation of both the platelet and the coagulation system was determined by measuring beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and prothrombin fragment f1.2 (f1.2), respectively, in venous blood and in blood emerging from a microvascular injury (shed blood). RESULTS: Pretreatment with clopidogrel before PCI exhibited a slight reduction of beta-TG (from 178 to 139 ng/ml, p=0.085) and of f1.2 (from 0.81 to 0.75 nmol/l, p=0.045) in venous blood. Heparin administration (at the beginning of PCI) resulted in a 65% inhibition of ss-TG (from 10,590 to 2833 ng/ml) and 90% inhibition of f1.2 formation (from 38.7 to 4.2 nmol/l) in shed blood of patients with clopidogrel pretreatment. The extent of inhibition was, however, comparable to that observed in patients without clopidogrel pretreatment (beta-TG: from 8025 to 2812 ng/ml, 76% inhibition, p=0.47; f1.2: from 34.9 to 3.8 nmol/l, 86% inhibition, p=0.80). After PTT normalisation (6 h after PCI), levels of beta-TG and f1.2 both in venous blood and in shed blood did not differ between the two treatment regimens up to 48 h after PCI. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with clopidogrel did not result in a pronounced inhibition of the platelet and coagulation system activation in patients on aspirin undergoing elective coronary stent implantation.     

Clopidogrel-induced qualitative changes in thrombus formation correlate with stent patency in injured pig cervical arteries

Thienopyridines (ticlopidine or clopidogrel) alone or in combination with aspirin are now the reference antiplatelet therapy after stent implantation. To better understand the high efficacy and low risk of bleeding with these agents, we tested clopidogrel alone or with aspirin in an acute ex vivo flow chamber model and in a subacute in vivo arterial thrombosis model. Clopidogrel induced a dose-dependent increase in bleeding time (BT), inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation and in the flow chamber reduced thrombus size, and changed thrombus structure to broad-based structure composed of nondegranulated loosely attached platelets contrasting with the tight clumps of degranulated platelets seen without clopidogrel. The in vivo model involved angioplasty and stenting at the site of a preinduced arterial lesion and thrombosis in pig carotid arteries. Clopidogrel alone or with aspirin (but not aspirin alone) decreased the number of stented vessels occluded for more than 24 h and conversely reduced the number of occluding thrombus. At 96 h after stenting, 100% and 90% of the arteries were patent with clopidogrel/aspirin and clopidogrel alone, respectively (vs. 67% and 44% with aspirin and saline, respectively). Clopidogrel destabilizes thrombus without complete abolishment of platelet reactivity.