Impact of clopidogrel on suppression of circulating levels of soluble CD40 ligand in patients with unstable angina undergoing coronary stenting

This study investigated whether a regimen that comprised a loading dose of 300 mg of clopidogrel followed by 75 mg/day could significantly suppress circulating levels of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) in patients who had unstable angina and underwent coronary stenting. Study results showed that the clopidogrel loading dose substantially decreased the circulating level of sCD40L at 24 hours after stenting (p <0.0001). Combined with aspirin, 75 mg/day of clopidogrel continuously decreased sCD40L levels after coronary stenting.