top banner image  

topleft corner image     top right corner image
 


bullet

JACC Homepage JACC Imaging Homepage
Still not a subscriber to JACC Imaging or JACC Interventions?

     top nav image

     

J Am Coll Cardiol Intv, 2008; 1:111-121, doi:10.1016/j.jcin.2008.01.005
© 2008 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Figures Only
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Kereiakes, D. J.
Right arrow Articles by Gurbel, P. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Kereiakes, D. J.
Right arrow Articles by Gurbel, P. A.

State-of-the-Art Paper

Peri-Procedural Platelet Function and Platelet Inhibition in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Dean J. Kereiakes, MD, FACC*,*, Paul A. Gurbel, MD, FACC{dagger}

* Christ Hospital Heart and Vascular Center/the Lindner Research Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
{dagger} Sinai Center for Thrombosis Research, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 
Pre-procedural platelet reactivity has been correlated with adverse ischemic events following percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients with high pre-percutaneous coronary intervention platelet reactivity demonstrate a differential response to standard doses of antiplatelet therapies and have higher residual post-treatment platelet reactivity. Peri-procedural platelet inhibition has been inversely correlated with the occurrence of adverse clinical outcomes, particularly myocardial infarction. Preliminary evidence supports the concept of a threshold for post-treatment platelet reactivity, and patients with less than 40% to 50% residual aggregation in response to 20-µmol/l adenosine diphosphate appear to have the best long-term clinical outcomes. Wide interindividual variability in response to either aspirin or clopidogrel has been demonstrated, and hyporesponsiveness to either agent has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Although the prevalence of either aspirin or clopidogrel resistance may be reduced by increasing the dose of medication, it cannot be eliminated, and interindividual variability in response persists. The advent of direct-acting antithrombin agents for peri-procedural anticoagulation coupled with novel antiplatelet therapies on the immediate horizon promise to enhance the safety and efficacy of peri-procedural adjunctive pharmacotherapy.

Abbreviations and Acronyms
  ADP = adenosine diphosphate
  COX = cyclooxgenase
  GP = glycoprotein
  MACE = major adverse cardiac events
  PAR = protease-activated receptor
  PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention
  UFH = unfractionated heparin



    Arterial Injury, Platelet Activation, and the Coagulation Cascade
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 
During either spontaneous or iatrogenic (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]) plaque rupture, the arterial endothelial barrier is denuded, and atherosclerotic material, connective tissue elements, and subendothelial matrix proteins (collagen, von Willebrand factor) are exposed to blood. Platelets adhere to collagen and von Willebrand factor via specific cell receptors (glycoprotein [GP] VI, GP Ia/IIa, GP Ib-IX) and become activated (1,2). Activated platelets degranulate and secrete agonists, chemotaxins, clotting factors, and vasoconstrictors that promote platelet aggregation, thrombin generation, and vasospasm. Following platelet activation, alpha granule contents (CD40L, CD62p, intracellular GP IIb/IIIa receptor pool, and so on) are exposed on the platelet membrane. Activated platelets stimulate cytokine release and tissue factor exposure (3–5).

The interactions of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) with platelet receptors, particularly P2Y12, and of TXA2 with thromboxane receptors play a central role in transforming the GP IIb/IIIa receptor to an activated state. The subsequent binding of fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor to activated GP IIb/IIIa receptors facilitates irreversible platelet aggregation and clot stabilization (6). Despite therapy with aspirin and unfractionated heparin (UFH), clinical and laboratory investigations have demonstrated that the coagulation cascade is activated during balloon angioplasty or stenting with thrombin generation and thrombus deposition at the site of arterial deep wall injury (7–10). Thus, the rationale for antiplatelet therapy during and following PCI is to prevent thrombus formation, to arrest procoagulant activity and inflammatory processes, to promote platelet disaggregation, and to facilitate microvascular perfusion (6).


    Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 
Baseline platelet reactivity measured directly by agonist-stimulated aggregation and surface receptor expression or indirectly indicated by platelet volume has been correlated with adverse clinical events during PCI (4,11–14). Those patients with the most reactive platelets demonstrate the highest incidence of peri-procedural ischemic complications including myocardial infarction, urgent revascularization, and stent thrombosis. Following primary PCI for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, those patients with the highest pre-procedural platelet reactivity subsequently demonstrate both impaired microvascular reperfusion as well as an increase in adverse cardiovascular events in the follow-up period (14,15). Furthermore, patients with high baseline (pre-PCI) platelet reactivity demonstrate a differential response to standard doses of antiplatelet therapies and a higher residual post-treatment platelet reactivity (16,17). Patients with unstable coronary syndromes have increased platelet surface receptor (CD62p, GP IIb/IIIa) expression (18,19) and a diminished inhibitory response to a standard dose of tirofiban or clopidogrel (16,17). A similar differential response to clopidogrel has been observed in diabetic patients who also demonstrate baseline abnormalities in platelet size and function (20). Baseline platelet reactivity has also been directly correlated with angiographic and clinical restenosis following bare-metal stent deployment (21).


    Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 
Data from randomized controlled clinical trials, which evaluated various classes of platelet inhibitor therapies, support the premise that the magnitude of peri-procedural platelet inhibition is inversely correlated with the occurrence of adverse clinical outcomes, especially peri-procedural myocardial infarction. In the GOLD (AU-Assessing Ultegra) trial, a correlation between higher levels of platelet inhibition and enhanced clinical benefit was observed (22). Those patients who achieved >95% platelet inhibition at 10 min or >70% inhibition at 8 h following initiation of a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor bolus dose demonstrated the lowest probability of incurring a major adverse cardiovascular event. Trials of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors, which achieved lower levels of ex vivo platelet inhibition (IMPACT-II [Integrelin to Minimize Platelet Aggregation and Coronary Thrombosis in Stenting] (23) and RESTORE [Randomized Efficacy Study of Tirofiban for Outcomes and REstenosis] (24) studies), also demonstrated a lesser magnitude of clinical benefit (vs. placebo) as reflected by a reduction in the composite occurrence of death or nonfatal myocardial infarction through 30 days. Similarly, the greater degree of platelet inhibition achieved by the ESPRIT (Enhanced Suppression of the Platelet IIb/IIIa Receptor with Integrilin Therapy) study’s dose regimen of eptifibatide (25) (compared with the less potent IMPACT-II study’s dose regimen), conferred a greater relative magnitude of reduction in adverse ischemic events (vs. placebo) in their respective trials. Finally, in the TARGET (Do Tirofiban and ReoPro Give Similar Efficacy Outcomes Trial) trial (26), those patients who were randomly assigned to receive abciximab (compared with tirofiban) demonstrated a reduction in the occurrence of death, myocardial infarction, or urgent target vessel revascularization through 30 days (6.0% vs. 7.6% with tirofiban; p = 0.038). These superior results of abciximab have been ascribed to higher relative levels of platelet inhibition (27), although an effect of abciximab independent of GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibition cannot be excluded (28).

Thus, multiple observations support the concept of targeting high levels of platelet inhibition during the performance of PCI when GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors are used. As platelet activation is a complex process that involves multiple redundant pathways (Fig. 1), therapeutic strategies that include simultaneous blockade of multiple receptors (cyclooxgenase [COX]-1 by aspirin, P2Y12 by thienopyridine, GP IIb/IIIa by GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor) are intuitively attractive and have been demonstrated to achieve incremental inhibition of platelet activation and aggregation (29–31). For example, those patients who were administered an oral clopidogrel loading dose (300 mg) 2 to 6 h prior to PCI in the TARGET trial enjoyed a significant relative reduction in adverse primary end point events through 30 days when compared with patients who received no pre-PCI clopidogrel loading dose, regardless of their randomly assigned GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor (abciximab or tirofiban) (32). Furthermore, clopidogrel pre-treated patients demonstrated improved survival to the 1-year follow-up, which was most marked among those patients who had been randomly assigned to peri-procedural tirofiban therapy. In the CLEAR PLATELETS (Clopidogrel Loading with Eptifibatide to Arrest the Reactivity of Platelets) and the CLEAR PLATELETS 1B (Clopidogrel Loading with Eptifibatide to Arrest the Reactivity of Platelets 1B) trials (31,33), a higher level of platelet inhibition was achieved during PCI in patients treated with the combination of clopidogrel and eptifibatide compared with clopidogrel treatment alone and was associated with a greater reduction in markers of inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; tumor necrosis factor-alpha) (33) as well as peri-procedural myocardial necrosis (creatine kinase-myocardial band, troponin I, myoglobin) (31). Likewise, in the TOPSTAR (Troponin in Planned PTCA/Stent Implantation with or without Administration of the Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Antagonist Tirofiban) trial (34), the addition of tirofiban to patients pretreated with aspirin and clopidogrel prior to PCI reduced peri-procedural elevations in troponin T. All of these studies suggest that the addition of a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor to dual oral antiplatelet therapy (aspirin plus thienopyridine) during PCI provides a higher level of peri-procedural platelet inhibition, which in turn is associated with a lower incidence of peri-procedural myocardial infarction (35).


Figure 1
View larger version (36K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[Download PPT slide]
 
Figure 1 Mechanisms of Platelet Activation and Inhibition

Platelet activation and mechanism of action of antiplatelet agents. ADP = adenosine diphosphate; ATP = adenosine triphosphate; CD40L = CD 40 ligand; COX = cyclooxygenase; GP = glycoprotein; PAI = plasminogen activator inhibitor; PDGF = platelet-derived growth factor TXA2 = thromboxane A2; vWF = von Willebrand factor. Adapted from Mehta SR, Yusuf S. Short- and long-term oral antiplatelet therapy in acute coronary syndromes and percutaneous coronary intervention. J Am Coll Cardiol 2003;41 Suppl S:79S–88S.

 
Further confirmation of the "more is better" premise, as it pertains to the magnitude of peri-procedural platelet inhibition, is provided by the ISAR REACT II (Intracoronary Stenting and Antithrombotic Regimen—Rapid Early Action for Coronary Treatment II) trial (36), in which high-risk acute coronary syndrome patients were pretreated with aspirin and clopidogrel (600 mg) after coronary angiography but at least 2 h prior to PCI. At the time of PCI, patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either abciximab or placebo, and all patients received concomitant intravenous weight-adjusted UFH. By 30 days post-procedure, abciximab-treated patients enjoyed a 25% relative reduction in ischemic primary end point events (8.9% abciximab, 11.9% placebo; p = 0.03). In a pre-specified subgroup analysis stratified by baseline (pre-PCI) troponin levels (elevated in approximately one-half of all patients) those patients with elevated troponin levels had the greatest magnitude of benefit from abciximab therapy (p = 0.02), although those with a normal baseline troponin demonstrated little or no benefit. Of note, the major portion of abciximab benefit was observed in patients with elevated baseline troponin who were <70 years of age, although patients >70 years old demonstrated no evidence for abciximab benefit regardless of baseline troponin level (37). The lack of apparent abciximab benefit for lower-risk patients in ISAR REACT II is similar to the observation made in the precedent ISAR-REACT randomized, placebo-controlled trial of abciximab administration following an oral clopidogrel load (600 mg >2 h pre-PCI) in patients with stable angina where no difference in primary end point events (30 days) between randomly assigned treatments was seen (38). In summary, these data support the following concepts: 1) high levels of peri-procedural platelet inhibition should be targeted particularly in high-risk patients; 2) incremental levels of platelet inhibition are associated with a combination of agents that block various pathways (COX-1, P2Y12, GP IIb/IIIa); and 3) higher levels of peri-procedural platelet inhibition are associated with better clinical outcomes.


    Post-Treatment Platelet Reactivity
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 
It has only been more recently appreciated that patients who demonstrate higher levels of post-PCI (and post-adjunctive pharmacotherapy) residual platelet reactivity to ADP have adverse clinical outcomes (39–42). For example, following primary PCI for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, those patients in the lowest quartile for inhibition of ADP-induced aggregation demonstrated more adverse ischemic events through the 6-month follow-up period (38). Similarly, following elective stent deployment, those patients with higher (>50%) residual ex vivo platelet aggregation in response to 20-µmol/l ADP had an increase in ischemic events (40–42). Indeed, patients who subsequently experienced stent thrombosis were clustered at or above the 75th percentile for residual ex vivo platelet reactivity to either 5- or 20-µmol/l ADP (41). Subsequent studies have confirmed the observation that despite oral clopidogrel loading (>300 mg) prior to or during PCI, patients with higher levels of post-procedural residual platelet aggregation incur a higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events including stent thrombosis (42,43). Recent data suggest that those patients at greatest risk for subsequent stent thrombosis may be identified by low levels (<25th percentile) of post-procedural platelet inhibition using a point-of-care platelet function assay (Accumetrics Verify Now) (44). Interindividual variability in platelet inhibitory response occurs following both aspirin and clopidogrel treatments and has been correlated with adverse peri-procedural and late ischemic events. Furthermore, preliminary evidence supports the concept of a post-treatment "threshold" of platelet reactivity, which is associated with adverse ischemic events in long-term follow-up (45,46). These studies suggest the potential utility of measuring residual platelet aggregation post-PCI (pre-discharge) so that adjunctive pharmacotherapy at hospital discharge may be appropriately tailored for those patients at high risk for subsequent ischemic events.


    Variability in Response to Aspirin
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 
Aspirin specifically and irreversibly inhibits platelet COX-1 through acetylation of the amino acid serine at position 529, thereby blocking arachidonic acid access to the COX-1 catalytic site through steric hindrance (47). The antithrombotic effects of aspirin (in addition to COX-1 blockade) include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiatherosclerotic effects on endothelial cells and leukocytes (47). Aspirin is a comparatively weak inhibitor of platelet function, because other agonists such as ADP, collagen, or thrombin can still activate platelets, as measured by ex vivo tests in patients during aspirin treatment (48). The limitations of aspirin as an antithrombotic agent include its inability to inhibit platelet adhesion or secretion; the limited inhibition of platelet aggregation in response to ADP, thrombin, or collagen; and the persistence of platelet aggregation, platelet thrombus formation, and post-angioplasty cyclic flow variation in aspirin-treated patients (47,48). In addition, aspirin effects are highly variable between individuals and may be counteracted by high shear rates or circulating epinephrine levels.

Individual variability in aspirin response and resistance may be related to clinical or cellular factors as well as to genetic polymorphisms (49). Laboratory methods for assessing platelet responsiveness to aspirin can be categorized as either COX-1–specific or –nonspecific. The prevalence of aspirin "resistance" appears to vary by definition from <6% (in response to stimulation by arachidonic acid) to 29% (by PFA-100 assay) and by aspirin dosage from ~36% (<100 mg) to ~26% (≥300 mg) (50–52). It has been proposed that aspirin resistance be measured by a test that directly indicates persistent COX-1 activity (51). Thus, aspirin resistance is most specifically identified by either: 1) the detection of stable metabolites of thromboxane A2 (i.e., serum thromboxane B2 or urinary 11-dehydrothromboxane B2); or 2) arachidonic acid-induced aggregation. Although prior studies have suggested that aspirin doses >81 mg provide equivalent inhibition of COX-1 (reduction in TXB2 production); more recent data suggest a dose-dependent effect of aspirin on platelet function via non–COX-1–dependent pathways at or downstream from the collagen (GPVI) receptor (52). Aspirin doses of >162 mg were required to achieve optimal inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Thus, the effect of aspirin on non–COX-1–mediated pathways may also influence its overall antithrombotic properties. However, aspirin doses above 100 mg/day have not been shown to provide greater clinical benefit than lower doses and may be associated with more frequent bleeding complications (53,54). Aspirin resistance measured by various assays (including both COX-1–specific and –nonspecific) has been correlated with both peri-PCI ischemic events (including stent thrombosis) as well as late (>1 year) adverse cardiovascular events (55,56). A major limitation of studies evaluating aspirin resistance has been the lack of serial platelet function measurements, as the degree of aspirin responsiveness can fluctuate over time and may be affected by dose. Finally, aspirin hyporesponsiveness may also be associated with poor responsiveness to the concomitant administration of clopidogrel, which suggests the presence of a more generalized "high platelet reactivity phenotype" that may be associated with an increased risk for ischemic events (57–59).


    Variability in Response to Clopidogrel
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 
The active metabolites of thienopyridines (ticlopidine, clopidogrel, prasugrel) irreversibly bind to ADP (P2Y12) receptors on the platelet, thus attenuating ADP-mediated GP IIb/IIIa receptor activation and platelet aggregation (60). The addition of ticlopidine or clopidogrel to aspirin and heparin has been demonstrated to further reduce the indices of procedural platelet activation (serotonin release; P-selectin expression) and the correlates of thrombin generation (fragment 1.2, thrombin-antithrombin complexes) following PCI (8,61). These findings are consistent with the observation of synergy between aspirin and ticlopidine for inhibition of thrombosis and platelet procoagulant activity (61). Indeed, the combination of aspirin and ticlopidine has proven superior to aspirin alone or the combination of aspirin and warfarin in reducing ischemic events and hemorrhagic complications after elective stent deployment (62,63). The basis for therapeutic conversion to clopidogrel (from ticlopidine) was largely due to enhanced safety and tolerance (64). Clopidogrel is administered orally as a prodrug that requires conversion to active metabolites by hepatic cytochrome P450 isoenzymes. Clopidogrel "resistance," as identified by either: 1) persistent P2Y12 signaling measured by loss of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation after ADP stimulation using flow cytometry methods; or 2) ADP-induced platelet activation as measured by turbidimetric aggregation or flow cytometric assays (46), has been observed in approximately 1 of out 4 (range 5% to 44%) individuals undergoing elective PCI (17,46). Differences in the prevalence of resistance between studies may be related to differences in clopidogrel dosing, differences in definition of resistance, laboratory methods, or the timing of blood sampling relative to clopidogrel administration (5,17,46). Clopidogrel response variability has multiple proposed etiologies that include variability in intestinal absorption, CYP3A4 enzymatic activity (due to genetic polymorphisms or drug–drug interactions) and P2Y12 receptor density (65–68). Platelet responsiveness to clopidogrel as measured by turbidimetric aggregometry or flow cytometry after ADP stimulation follows a normal, bell-shaped distribution (Fig. 2) (17). Following a 300-mg oral clopidogrel loading dose and 75 mg administered daily thereafter, "resistance" was observed in 31% and 15% of patients at 5 and 30 days post-PCI, respectively (17).


Figure 2
View larger version (21K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[Download PPT slide]
 
Figure 2 Response Distribution to Clopidogrel

Normal distribution of the absolute change in 20-µmol/l adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced aggregation ({Delta}A). All of the patients under the double-headed arrow meet the definition for nonresponsiveness (NR). The distribution is shifted rightward in the 600-mg group indicating greater inhibition (responsiveness to clopidogrel). Reproduced with permission from the American College of Cardiology (72).

 
Studies have described an attenuated response to clopidogrel by either relative or absolute inhibition (absolute change in aggregation from baseline). Both early (<30 days) and late (30 days to 1 year) stent thrombosis or other major adverse cardiac events (MACE) have most often been correlated with post-treatment platelet reactivity (40–43) rather than with the degree of inhibition (39). Thus, either "on-treatment" or "post-treatment" residual platelet reactivity may be a better indicator of patient risk for post-stenting ischemic events because risk may be overestimated in nonresponsive patients who begin with low pre-treatment platelet reactivity (69). However, none of these studies have been definitive, and most are limited by small numbers of patients and an absence of serial platelet function measurements. In general, those patients who manifest laboratory resistance or high post-treatment platelet reactivity incur an increased incidence of MACE. In this context, the administration of larger (>300 mg) oral loading doses of clopidogrel has been demonstrated to accelerate the time course and enhance the magnitude of subsequent platelet inhibition as well as reduce platelet reactivity (70–72). Debate remains regarding the ability of 900 mg of clopidogrel to further augment platelet inhibition compared with 600 mg (70,71). Although some have demonstrated more rapid and complete platelet inhibition with the higher dose when measured in response to a more potent (20-µmol/l ADP) agonist, others have reported no appreciable differences in either measured platelet inhibition or clopidogrel metabolite concentrations, suggesting the potential for saturation in the ability to either absorb or convert the increased dose. Nevertheless, a 600-mg clopidogrel load is associated with a lower prevalence of early resistance (~8%) compared with a 300-mg load (~25% to 28%) (72). Furthermore, the administration of a 600-mg loading dose to individuals on chronic clopidogrel therapy (75 mg daily) also provided a substantial increment in peri-procedural (PCI) platelet inhibition when compared with no loading dose (73). Even following a 600-mg oral clopidogrel loading dose, from 2 to 8 h are required to achieve maximum platelet inhibitory effects, which remain widely variable (20% to 80%) on an individual basis (70,74). Finally, data in support of an incremental clinical benefit associated with increased clopidogrel loading dose (600 vs. 300 mg) are limited to a small (255 patients) randomized trial involving clopidogrel-naïve patients that demonstrated a relative reduction in peri-procedural myocardial infarction following the 600-mg dose (75). However, the ARMYDA-4 (Antiplatelet Therapy for Reduction of Myocardial Damage during Angioplasty) study demonstrated no additional clinical benefit following a 600-mg pre-PCI clopidogrel load in patients already receiving chronic clopidogrel therapy (76). More recently, data have been presented that incremental levels of platelet inhibition may be achieved by increasing the clopidogrel maintenance dose from 75 to 150 mg daily, particularly in those patients who manifest initial hyporesponsiveness (77,78). Whether or not incremental platelet inhibition by the 150-mg daily maintenance dose can be translated into clinical benefit (MACE reduction) without the occurrence of adverse bleeding events remains to be determined by larger, adequately powered clinical trials.

In addition to dosage increments to augment clopidogrel platelet inhibition, the concomitant administration of CYP3A4 enzyme inducers (rifampin, St. John’s wort) has been demonstrated to enhance platelet inhibition and to convert clopidogrel "hyporesponders" to "responders" (65,79,80). The clinical utility of adjunctive CYP3A4 enzyme induction in clopidogrel hyporesponders has not been demonstrated. Furthermore, the addition of a 3rd agent, cilostazol, to patients already being treated with the combination of aspirin and a thienopyridine may confer incremental clinical benefit (reduction in MACE and stent thrombosis) without an increase in bleeding events (81). As previously noted, the prevalence of clopidogrel hyporesponsiveness appears to be increased among patients who are resistant to aspirin, suggesting the presence of a "high platelet reactivity phenotype" (57,58,82). Those patients who manifest an attenuated response to both agents may have the highest prevalence of peri-procedural (PCI) myocardial necrosis (82). Interestingly, patients who are resistant to clopidogrel are frequently responsive to ticlopidine and vice versa, which suggests that differences in liver metabolic pathways responsible for active metabolite generation exist (83).


    Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation and Platelet Reactivity
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 
The traditional "gold standard" for peri-procedural anticoagulation involved the administration of weight-adjusted doses of UFH with peri-procedural monitoring of the activated clotting time and supplemental heparin administration to achieve targeted activated clotting time levels of >250 s (in the absence of concomitant platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor blockade) or >200 s (in the presence of GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibition) (84). Over the past decade, multiple limitations of UFH have been recognized. The limitations include its inability to bind either clot-bound thrombin or factor Xa within the platelet prothrombinase complex, susceptibility to inactivation by platelet factor 4, nonspecific cellular binding (which results in biphasic, saturation kinetics and, thus, a variable dose-dependent pharmacokinetic half-life), direct platelet activation and aggregation, as well as consumption of antithrombin III, which may contribute to the subsequent relative hypercoagulability (heparin "rebound") following discontinuation of therapy (85).

The central role played by thrombin in triggering platelet activation and the ability of direct-acting antithrombin agents, such as bivalirudin to inactivate clot-bound thrombin has been more recently appreciated (86). Multiple randomized controlled clinical trials have demonstrated bivalirudin to be at least as effective and safer (fewer major bleeding events) than UFH when administered as anticoagulation for PCI (87,88). Some studies have suggested that bivalirudin contributes to peri-procedural platelet inhibition by blocking thrombin-mediated platelet activation. Although intravenous bivalirudin in combination with oral aspirin and clopidogrel therapy appears to provide safe and effective peri-procedural adjunctive pharmacotherapy for most clinically stable patients undergoing PCI, the time course and magnitude of antithrombotic effects achieved by this regimen may not be adequate for patients with high levels of pre-procedural platelet reactivity (acute coronary syndrome with positive biomarkers, diabetics, and so on) and who, in addition, may be clopidogrel hyporesponders. These patient subgroups may manifest a relative increase in peri-procedural ischemic events (enzymatic myocardial infarction; urgent repeat revascularization; acute [<24 h] stent thrombosis) in the absence of concomitant platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor blockade. Indeed, higher levels of peri-procedural platelet inhibition are achieved by the combination of aspirin, clopidogrel, and GP IIb/IIIa inhibition compared with aspirin and clopidogrel alone in the context of either UFH or bivalirudin anticoagulation (31,89,90).


    New Therapeutic Options
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 
The limitations of currently available thienopyridines (ticlopidine, clopidogrel) include delayed onset of action, irreversibility, response variability among individual patients, and overall modest levels of platelet inhibition. Several novel P2Y12 receptor inhibitors (both thienopyridine and nonthienopyridine) are currently in clinical development and have pharmacologic properties that should overcome some, if not all, of these limitations.


    Prasugrel
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 
Prasugrel (CS747) is a novel thienopyridine that is administered orally in an inactive state and must be metabolized by cytochrome-P450–dependent pathways to generate an active form that irreversibly binds to the P2Y12 receptor (91,92). Comparative (prasugrel vs. clopidogrel) studies suggest that prasugrel provides more rapid and more potent platelet inhibition with less interindividual variability in response (93,94). Indeed, the vast majority of clopidogrel nonresponders are responsive to prasugrel (95). In a randomized controlled trial comparing prasugrel and clopidogrel in patients undergoing PCI, the JUMBO-TIMI 26 (Joint Utilization of Medications to Block Platelets Optimally–Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) trial, clinical target vessel thrombotic events (composite occurrence of stent thrombosis and urgent repeat target vessel revascularization) were reduced (0.6% vs. 2.4%, respectively) by prasugrel and noncoronary bypass-related bleeding events were similar (96). The TRITON-TIMI 38 (Trial to Assess Improvements in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet Inhibition with Prasugrel–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction) trial compared treatment with clopidogrel (300-mg load, 75 mg daily) versus prasugrel (60-mg load, 10 mg daily) in 13,608 patients with acute coronary syndromes in whom PCI was planned (97,98). Prasugrel therapy was associated with a significant reduction in the primary efficacy end point of the trial (cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke) from 12.1% (clopidogrel) to 9.9% (prasugrel; p < 0.001). Furthermore, significant reductions in urgent target vessel revascularization (by 34%), myocardial infarction (by 24%), and stent thrombosis (by 52%) were observed following prasugrel therapy. The greater efficacy of prasugrel, which accompanied the higher level of platelet inhibition achieved by this agent, was associated with an increased incidence of life-threatening (1.4% vs. 0.9%) and fatal (0.4% vs. 0.1%) bleeding events compared with clopidogrel. The observation of no net clinical benefit (composite of efficacy and safety end points) for prasugrel in patients ≥75 years of age or <60 kg weight should prompt efforts at dose modification in these subgroups. Patients with prior stroke or transient ischemic attacks demonstrated net clinical benefit from clopidogrel (vs. prasugrel) (98). Finally, in the PRINCIPLE-TIMI 44 (Prasugrel in Comparison to Clopidogrel for Inhibition of Platelet Activation and Aggregation–Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) trial, prasugrel (60-mg load; 10 mg daily) resulted in greater platelet inhibition than was observed following high-dose clopidogrel (600-mg load, 150 mg daily) in patients undergoing catheterization with planned PCI (99).


    AZD 6140
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 
The AZD 6140 is a novel cyclo-pentyl-triazolo pyrimidine nonthienopyridine agent that acts directly (requires no metabolic activation) and provides very rapid, reversible, and potent P2Y12 receptor inhibition (91,100,101). The plasma half-life of AZD 6140 is approximately 12 h and thus requires twice-daily dose administration (101). In the DISPERSE-2 (Dose Confirmation Study Assessing anti-Platelet Effects of AZD6140 versus Clopidogrel in NSTEMI) randomized comparative trial of AZD 6140 versus clopidogrel in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes, myocardial infarction was less frequent in patients receiving AZD 6140 and major or minor bleeding events were similar (102). In the platelet function substudy of DISPERSE-2, AZD 6140 provided a greater magnitude of platelet inhibition with less interindividual variability than was observed with clopidogrel (103).


    Cangrelor
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 
Cangrelor (formerly ARC 69931 MX) is a nonthienopyridine, parenterally administered, direct-acting P2Y12 receptor antagonist that provides dose-dependent, reversible inhibition. At high doses, cangrelor achieves nearly 100% inhibition of ADP-induced aggregation with very limited interindividual variability in response (104,105). The plasma half-life of cangrelor is approximately 3.3 min, and platelet function returns to normal rapidly (~60 min) following termination of intravenous infusion (105). No differences in bleeding event rates were observed in a randomized comparison with placebo in patients undergoing PCI (106). The pharmacologic properties of rapid onset and offset may be particularly advantageous for use in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes and high-risk predictors (positive biomarkers, ST-segment shift) in whom early angiography with revascularization is considered. Indeed, controversy surrounds the potential for clinical benefit provided by P2Y12 receptor inhibitor pre-treatment (clopidogrel) prior to PCI and the concern for bleeding associated with irreversible drug effect if surgical coronary revascularization is required based on coronary anatomic considerations. Cangrelor is currently undergoing clinical evaluation in the CHAMPION (Cangrelor versus standard tHerapy to Achieve optimal Management of Platelet InhibitiON PCI) trial (107).


    Protease-Activated Receptor (PAR)-1 Inhibition
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 
The PAR-1 is present on platelets, smooth muscle cells, monocytes/macrophages from human atheroma tissue, and at lesion sites following percutaneous interventions (108). There has been a great recent interest in the development of PAR-1 antagonists as potential antithrombotic agents. Oral PAR-1 antagonists may provide several advantages over thrombin inhibitors in specifically inhibiting the PAR-1 receptor and having no influence on the enzymatic effect of thrombin in the coagulation cascade, the generation of the fibrin network, or the stimulation of anticoagulant pathways (activation of protein C). These attributes make PAR-1 antagonism a unique antithrombotic target with potential limited bleeding side effects (108).

The SCH-530348 drug has been demonstrated to be a specific, potent, and reversible PAR-1 antagonist with a long half-life and no apparent effect on bleeding or clotting times or other receptor signaling pathways in platelets. In a recently completed randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging Phase 2 study (TRA-PCI [Thrombin Receptor Antagonist–Percutaneous Coronary Intervention] study), 1,030 patients undergoing coronary angiography and/or nonemergent PCI were treated with loading doses of 10, 20, or 40 mg of SCH-530348 together with aspirin, clopidogrel, and an antithrombotic agent (heparin or direct thrombin inhibitor) (109). Following PCI, maintenance doses of 0.5, 1, or 2.5 mg were administered for 60 days along with aspirin and clopidogrel. Treatment with SCH-530348 was not associated with a significant increase in the trial primary end point (TIMI major or minor bleeding), although slight reductions in the secondary end points of MACE (by 32%) and myocardial infarction (by 41%) were observed. In a substudy, SCH-530348 did not affect arachidonic acid-, ADP-, or collagen-induced platelet aggregation, but was associated with >80% inhibition of 15-mmol/l thrombin receptor-activating peptide–induced platelet aggregation at both the 1- and 2.5-mg maintenance doses. The results from the TRA-PCI study have provided the rationale for 2 large-scale multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 studies (TRA 2P-TIMI 50 [Thrombin Receptor Antagonist in Secondary Prevention of Atherothrombotic Events–Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction] and TRA-ACS [Thrombin Receptor Antagonist in Acute Coronary Syndrome] trials).


    Conclusions
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 
The level of pre-procedural platelet reactivity correlates directly with both the level of post-procedural (and post-treatment) platelet reactivity as well as the incidence of peri-procedural adverse clinical outcomes (MACE). The intensity of peri-procedural platelet inhibition by adjunctive pharmacotherapies has been inversely correlated with the occurrence of peri-procedural MACE. These observations have validated the concept of targeting high levels of peri-procedural platelet inhibition during PCI. Recent data support a direct relationship between the post-PCI and post-pharmacotherapeutic treatment level of platelet reactivity and the subsequent occurrence of ischemic events, including both early and late stent thrombosis. In fact, preliminary evidence supports the concept of a threshold for post-treatment platelet reactivity. Those patients who demonstrate <~50% residual platelet aggregation in response to 20-µmol/l ADP appear to have the best long-term clinical outcomes. However, the timing and method of measuring platelet function that best correlates with subsequent patient outcomes remains under investigation. Conversely, the relationship of bleeding events to specific levels of residual ADP-induced platelet aggregation is unknown. Considerable interindividual variability in platelet inhibitory response exists to currently available antiplatelet therapies. The prevalence of aspirin and/or clopidogrel resistance is dependent on the definitions employed (clinical events vs. pharmacodynamic testing) as well as the specific test methodology (type and strength of agonist, specific threshold definition of hyporesponsiveness). Although the prevalence of either aspirin or clopidogrel resistance may be reduced by increasing the dose of medication, it cannot be eliminated, and interindividual variability in response persists. Ongoing large-scale clinical trials will better define the relationship between ex vivo platelet inhibition by specific therapeutic agents and the degree of clinical benefit conferred by treatment. Hopefully, these studies will also help to script the appropriate therapeutic algorithm for response in those patients determined to be at high risk for adverse clinical events based on measurement of platelet reactivity. Finally, the advent of direct-acting antithrombin agents for peri-procedural anticoagulation coupled with novel antiplatelet therapies on the immediate horizon promise to enhance the safety and efficacy of peri-procedural adjunctive pharmacotherapy and to improve late clinical outcomes following PCI.


    Footnotes
 
Dr. Kereiakes receives grant and/or research support from Pfizer, Cordis/Johnson & Johnson, Boston Scientific, Medtronic and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.; and consulting fees from Cordis/Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly & Co., Boston Scientific, Abbott Vascular/Guidant, and Medtronic. Dr. Kereiakes serves on the Speaker’s Bureau of Eli Lilly & Co. Dr. Gurbel receives grant and/or research support from AstraZeneca, Schering-Plough, Sanofi-Aventis, Portola, and Daiichi Sankyo; and consulting fees from Sanofi-Aventis, Daiichi Sankyo, Eli Lilly & Co., Bayer, Schering-Plough, AstraZeneca, Bayer, and Portola. Dr. Gurbel serves on the Speaker’s Bureaus of Eli Lilly & Co., Daiichi Sankyo, Sanofi-Aventis, and Schering-Plough.

* Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. Dean J. Kereiakes, The Lindner Research Center, 2123 Auburn Avenue, Suite 424, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219. (Email: lindner{at}fuse.net).

Manuscript received November 14, 2007; revised manuscript received January 22, 2008, accepted January 25, 2008.


    REFERENCES
 Top
 Abstract
 Arterial Injury, Platelet...
 Pre-Procedural Platelet Activity
 Procedural Platelet Inhibition
 Post-Treatment Platelet...
 Variability in Response to...
 Variability in Response to...
 Peri-Procedural Anticoagulation...
 New Therapeutic Options
 Prasugrel
 AZD 6140
 Cangrelor
 Protease-Activated Receptor...
 Conclusions
 REFERENCES
 

  1. Wilentz JR, Sanborn TA, Haudenschild C, et al. Platelet accumulation in experimental angioplasty: time course in relation to vascular injury Circulation 1987;75:636-642.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  2. Nelken NA, Soifer SJ, Okeff J, et al. Thrombin receptor expression in normal and atherosclerotic human arteries J Clin Invest 1992;90:1614-1621.[Web of Science][Medline]
  3. Ruggeri ZM. Platelets in atherothrombosis Nat Med 2002;8:1227-1234.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  4. Gurbel PA, Bliden KP, Hayes KM, Tantry U. Platelet activation in myocardial ischemic syndromes Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2004;2:535-545.[CrossRef][Medline]
  5. Gurbel PA, Tantry U. The relationship of platelet reactivity to the occurrence of post-stenting ischemic events: emergence of a new cardiovascular risk factor Rev Cardiovasc Med 2006;7:S20-S28.[Web of Science][Medline]
  6. Tantry US, Etherington A, Bliden KP, Gurbel PA. Antiplatelet therapy: current strategies and future trends Future Cardiol 2006;2:343-366.[CrossRef]
  7. Peltonen S, Lassila R, Heikkila J. Activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis despite heparinization during successful elective coronary angioplasty Thromb Res 1996;82:459-468.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  8. Gregorini L, Marco J, Fajadet J, et al. Ticlopidine and aspirin pretreatment reduces coagulation and platelet activation during coronary dilation procedures J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:13-20.[Abstract]
  9. The EPIC Investigators Use of a monoclonal antibody directed against the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor in high risk coronary angioplasty N Engl J Med 1994;330:956-961.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  10. Lincoff AM, Popma JJ, Ellis SG, et al. Abrupt vessel closure complicating coronary angioplasty: clinical, angiographic and therapeutic profile J Am Coll Cardiol 1992;19:926-935.[Abstract]
  11. Kabbani SS, Watkins MW, Ashikaga T, Terrien EF, Sobel BE, Schneider DJ. Usefulness of platelet reactivity before percutaneous coronary intervention in determining cardiac risk one year later Am J Cardiol 2003;91:876-878.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  12. Frossard M, Fuchs I, Leitner JM, et al. Platelet function predicts myocardial damage in patients with acute myocardial infarction Circulation 2004;110:1392-1397.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  13. Neumann EJ, Gawaz M, Ott I, May A, Mossmer G, Schomig A. Prospective evaluation of hemostatic predictors of subacute stent thrombosis after coronary Palmaz-Schatz stenting J Am Coll Cardiol 1996;27:15-21.[Abstract]
  14. Huczek Z, Kochman J, Filipiak KJ, et al. Mean platelet volume on admission predicts impaired reperfusion and long-term mortality in acute myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;46:284-290.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  15. Campo G, Valgimigli M, Gemmati D, et al. Value of platelet reactivity in predicting response to treatment and clinical outcome in patients undergoing primary coronary intervention: insights into the STRATEGY study J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;48:2178-2185.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  16. Soffer D, Moussa I, Karatepe M, et al. Suboptimal inhibition of platelet aggregation following tirofiban bolus in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for unstable angina pectoris Am J Cardiol 2003;91:872-875.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  17. Gurbel PA, Bliden KP, Hiatt BL, O’Connor CM. Clopidogrel for coronary stenting: response variability, drug resistance, and the effect of pretreatment platelet reactivity Circulation 2003;107:2908-2913.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  18. Chakhtoura EY, Shamoon FE, Haft JI, Obiedzinski GR, Cohen AJ, Watson RM. Comparison of platelet activation in unstable and stable angina pectoris and correlation with coronary angiographic findings Am J Cardiol 2000;86:835-839.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  19. Ault KA, Cannon CP, Mitchell J, et al. Platelet activation in patients after an acute coronary syndrome: results from the TIMI-12 trial. Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction. J Am Coll Cardiol 1999;33:634-639.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  20. Angiolillo DJ, Fernandez-Ortiz A, Bernardo E, et al. Platelet function profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease on combined aspirin and clopidogrel treatment Diabetes 2005;54:2430-2435.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  21. Miyamoto S, Kawano H, Kudoh T, et al. Usefulness of preprocedural platelet aggregation to predict restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention Am J Cardiol 2005;96:71-73.[Web of Science][Medline]
  22. Steinhubl SR, Talley JD, Braden GA, et al. Point-of-care measured platelet inhibition correlates with a reduced risk of an adverse cardiac event after percutaneous coronary intervention: results of the GOLD (AU-Assessing Ultegra) multicenter study Circulation 2001;103:2572-2578.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  23. IMPACT-II Investigators Randomised placebo-controlled trial of effect of eptifibatide on complications of percutaneous coronary intervention: IMPACT-II. Integrilin to Minimise Platelet Aggregation and Coronary Thrombosis-II. Lancet 1997;349:1422-1428.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  24. RESTORE Investigators Effects of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockade with tirofiban on adverse cardiac events in patients with unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction undergoing coronary angioplasty Circulation 1997;96:1445-1453.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  25. ESPRIT Investigators Novel dosing regimen of eptifibatide in planned coronary stent implantation (ESPRIT): a randomized, placebo-controlled trial Lancet 2000;356:2037-2044.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  26. Topol EJ, Moliterno DJ, Herrmann HC, et al. TARGET Investigators Do Tirofiban and ReoPro Give Similar Efficacy Trial. Comparison of two platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, tirofiban and abciximab, for the prevention of ischemic events with percutaneous coronary revascularization. N Engl J Med 2001;344:1888-1894.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  27. Hermann HC, Swierkosz TA, Kapoor S, et al. Comparison of degree of platelet inhibition by abciximab versus tirofiban in patients with unstable angina pectoris and non–Q-wave myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention Am J Cardiol 2002;89:1293-1297.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  28. Kereiakes DJ, Goldschmidt-Clermont P. Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors: effects beyond the plateletIn: Lincoff AM, editor. Contemporary Cardiology: Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors in Cardiovascular Disease. 2nd edition. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press; 2003.
  29. Kleiman NS, Grazeiadei N, Maresh K, et al. Abciximab, ticlopidine, and concomitant abciximab-ticlopidine therapy: ex vivo platelet aggregation inhibition profiles in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions Am Heart J 2000;140:492-501.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  30. Dalby M, Montalescot G, Bal dit Sollier C, et al. Eptifibatide provides additional platelet inhibition in non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients already treated with aspirin and clopidogrel. Results of the platelet activity extinction in non–Q-wave myocardial infarction with aspirin, clopidogrel, and eptifibatide (PEACE) study. J Am Coll Cardiol 2004;43:162-168.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  31. Gurbel PA, Bliden KP, Zaman KA, Yoho JA, Hayes KM, Tantry US. Clopidogrel loading with eptifibatide to arrest the reactivity of platelets: results of the Clopidogrel Loading With Eptifibatide to Arrest the Reactivity of Platelets (CLEAR PLATELETS) study Circulation 2005;111:1153-1159.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  32. Chan AW, Moliterno DJ, Berger PB, et al. Triple antiplatelet therapy during percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with improved outcomes including one-year survival: results from the Do Tirofiban and ReoPro Give Similar Efficacy Outcome Trial (TARGET) J Am Coll Cardiol 2003;42:1188-1195.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  33. Gurbel PA, Bliden KP, Tantry US. Effect of clopidogrel with and without eptifibatide on tumor necrosis factor-alpha and C-reactive protein release after elective stenting: results from the CLEAR PLATELETS 1b study J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;48:2186-2191.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  34. Bonz AW, Lengenfelder B, Strotmann J, et al. Effect of additional temporary glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibition on troponin release in elective percutaneous coronary intervention after pretreatment with aspirin and clopidogrel (TOPSTAR trial) J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;40:662-668.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  35. Tcheng JE, Campbell ME. Platelet inhibition strategies in percutaneous coronary intervention: competition or coopetition? J Am Coll Cardiol 2003;42:1196-1198.[Free Full Text]
  36. Kastrati A, Mehilli J, Neumann FJ, et al. Abciximab in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention after clopidogrel pretreatment: the ISAR-REACT 2 randomized trial JAMA 2006;295:1531-1538.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  37. Ndrepepa G, Kastrati A, Mehilli J, et al. Age-dependent effect of abciximab in patients with acute coronary syndromes treated with percutaneous coronary interventions Circulation 2006;114:2040-2046.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  38. Kastrati A, Mehilli J, Schuhlen H, et al. A clinical trial of abciximab in elective percutaneous coronary intervention after pretreatment with clopidogrel N Engl J Med 2004;350:232-238.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  39. Matetzky S, Shenkman B, Guetta V, et al. Clopidogrel resistance is associated with increased risk of recurrent atherothrombotic events in patients with acute myocardial infarction Circulation 2004;109:3171-3175.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  40. Gurbel PA, Bliden KP, Guyer K, et al. Platelet reactivity in patients and recurrent events post-stenting: results of the PREPARE POST-STENTING Study J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;46:1820-1826.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  41. Gurbel PA, Bliden KP, Samara W, et al. Clopidogrel effect on platelet reactivity in patients with stent thrombosis: results of the CREST Study J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;46:1827-1832.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  42. Hochholzer W, Trenk D, Bestehorn HP, et al. Impact of the degree of peri-interventional platelet inhibition after loading with clopidogrel on early clinical outcome of elective coronary stent placement J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;48:1742-1750.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  43. Buonamici P, Marcucci R, Migliorini A, et al. Impact of platelet reactivity after clopidogrel administration on drug-eluting stent thrombosis J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;49:2312-2317.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  44. Price MJ, Valencia R, Gollapudi RR, et al. The response to clopidogrel measured by a point-of-care assay following percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with stent thrombosis over 6 month follow-up J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;49(Suppl B):13B(abstr).
  45. Bliden KP, DiChiara J, Tantry US, Bassi AK, Chaganti SK, Gurbel PA. Increased risk in patients with high platelet aggregation receiving chronic clopidogrel therapy undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: is the current antiplatelet therapy adequate? J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;49:657-666.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  46. Gurbel PA, Becker RC, Mann KG, Steinhubl SR, Michelson AD. Platelet function monitoring in patients with coronary artery disease J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;50:1822-1834.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  47. Awtry EH, Loscalzo J. Aspirin Circulation 2000;101:1206-1218.[Free Full Text]
  48. Patrono C, Coller B, Dalen JE, et al. Platelet-active drugs: the relationships among dose, effectiveness, and side effects Chest 2001;117:39S-63S.
  49. Bhatt DL. Aspirin resistance: more than just a laboratory curiosity J Am Coll Cardiol 2004;43:1127-1129.[Free Full Text]
  50. Hovens MM, Snoep JD, Eikenboom JC, van der Bom JG, Mertens BJ, Huisman MV. Prevalence of persistent platelet reactivity despite use of aspirin: a systematic review Am Heart J 2007;153:175-181.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  51. Tantry US, Bliden KP, Gurbel PA. Overestimation of platelet aspirin resistance detection by thrombelastograph platelet mapping and validation by conventional aggregometry using arachidonic acid stimulation J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;46:1705-1709.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  52. Gurbel PA, Bliden KP, DiChiara J, et al. Evaluation of dose-related effects of aspirin on platelet function: results from the Aspirin-Induced Platelet Effect (ASPECT) study Circulation 2007;115:3156-3164.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  53. Peters RJ, Mehta SK, Fox KA, et al. Effects of aspirin dose when used alone or in combination with clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes: observations from the Clopidogrel in Unstable angina to prevent Recurrent Events (CURE) study Circulation 2003;108:1682-1687.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  54. Serebruany VL, Steinhubl SR, Berger PB, et al. Analysis of risk of bleeding complications after different doses of aspirin in 192,036 patients enrolled in 31 randomized controlled trials Am J Cardiol 2005;95:1218-1222.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  55. Chen WH, Lee PY, Ng W, Tse HF, Lau CP. Aspirin resistance is associated with a high incidence of myonecrosis after non-urgent percutaneous coronary intervention despite clopidogrel pretreatment J Am Coll Cardiol 2004;43:1122-1126.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  56. Gum PA, Kottke-Marchant K, Welsh PA, White J, Topol EJ. A prospective, blinded determination of the natural history of aspirin resistance among stable patients with cardiovascular disease J Am Coll Cardiol 2003;41:961-965.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  57. Wenaweser P, Dorffler-Melly J, Imboden K, et al. Stent thrombosis is associated with an impaired response to antiplatelet therapy J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;45:1748-1752.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  58. Lev EI, Patel RT, Maresh KJ, et al. Aspirin and clopidogrel drug response in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: the role of dual drug resistance J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;47:27-33.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  59. Dichiara J, Bliden KP, Tantry US, et al. Platelet function measured by VerifyNow identifies generalized high platelet reactivity in aspirin treated patients Platelets 2007;18:414-423.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  60. Quinn MJ, Fitzgerald DJ. Ticlopidine and clopidogrel Circulation 1999;100:1667-1672.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  61. Neumann F, Gawaz M, Dickfield T, et al. Antiplatelet effect of ticlopidine after coronary stenting J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:1515-1519.[Abstract]
  62. Leon MB, Baim DS, Popma JJ, et al. A clinical trial comparing three antithrombotic-drug regimens after coronary-artery stenting. Stent Anticoagulation Restonsis Study Investigators. N Engl J Med 1998;339:1665-1671.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  63. Schomig A, Neumann FJ, Kastrati A, et al. : A randomized comparison of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy after the placement of coronary artery stents N Engl J Med 1996;334:1084-1089.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  64. Bertrand ME, Rupprecht H-J, Urban P, Gershlick AH, CLASSICS Investigators Double-blind study of the safety of clopidogrel with and without a loading dose in combination with aspirin compared with ticlopidine in combination with aspirin after coronary stenting. The Clopidogrel Aspirin Stent International Cooperative Study (CLASSICS). Circulation 2000;102:624-629.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  65. Lau WC, Gurbel PA, Watkins PB, et al. Contribution of hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4 metabolic activity to the phenomenon of clopidogrel resistance Circulation 2004;109:166-171.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  66. O’Donoghue M, Wiviott SD. Clopidogrel response variability and future therapies: clopidogrel: does one size fit all? Circulation 2006;114:e600-e606.[Free Full Text]
  67. Gurbel PA, Tantry US. Clopidogrel resistance? Thromb Res 2007;120:311-321.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  68. Angiolillo DJ, Fernandez-Ortiz A, Bernardo E, et al. Contribution of gene sequence variations of the hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme to variability in individual responsiveness to clopidogrel Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2006;26:1895-1900.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  69. Samara WM, Bliden KP, Tantry US, Gurbel PA. The difference between clopidogrel responsiveness and post-treatment platelet reactivity Thromb Res 2005;115:89-94.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  70. Montalescot G, Sideris G, Meuleman C, et al. A randomized comparison of high clopidogrel loading doses in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: the ALBION (Assessment of the Best Loading Dose of Clopidogrel to Blunt Platelet Activation, Inflammation and Ongoing Necrosis) trial J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;48:931-938.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  71. von Beckerath N, Tauberg D, Pogatsa-Murray G, Schomig E, Kastrati A, Schomig A. Absorption, metabolization, and antiplatelet effects of 300-, 600-, and 900-mg loading doses of clopidogrel: results of the ISAR-CHOICE (Intracoronary Stenting and Antithrombotic Regimen: Choose Between 3 High Oral Doses for Immediate Clopidogrel Effect) trial Circulation 2005;112:2946-2950.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  72. Gurbel PA, Bliden KP, Hayes KM, Yoho JA, Herzog WR, Tantry US. The relation of dosing to clopidogrel responsiveness and the incidence of high post-treatment platelet aggregation in patients undergoing coronary stenting J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;45:1392-1396.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  73. Kastrati A, vonBeckerath N, Joost A, Pogatsa-Murray G, Gorchakova O, Schomig A. Loading with 600 mg clopidogrel in patients with coronary artery disease with and without chronic clopidogrel therapy Circulation 2004;110:1916-1919.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  74. Hochholzer W, Trenk K, Frundi D, et al. Time dependence of platelet inhibition after a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel in a large, unselected cohort of candidates for percutaneous coronary intervention Circulation 2005;111:2560-2564.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  75. Patti G, Colonna G, Pasceri V, Pepe LL, Montinaro A, DiSciascio G. Randomized trial of high loading dose of clopidogrel for reduction of periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients undergoing coronary intervention: results from the ARMYDA-2 (Antiplatelet therapy for Reduction of MYocardial Damage during Angioplasty) study Circulation 2005;111:2099-2106.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  76. Sciascio G. A prospective, double-blind, randomized trial evaluating a 600 mg clopidogrel loading dose prior to PCI in patients on chronic clopidogrel therapy. Presented at: Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics, October 22, 2007; Washington, DC.
  77. Angiolillo DJ, Shoemaker SB, Desai B, et al. Randomized comparison of a high clopidogrel maintenance dose in patients with diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease: results of the Optimizing Antiplatelet Therapy in Diabetes Mellitus (OPTIMUS) study Circulation 2007;115:708-716.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  78. von Beckerath N, Kastrati A, Wieczorek A, et al. A double-blind, randomized study on platelet aggregation in patients treated with a daily dose of 150 or 75 mg of clopidogrel for 30 days Eur Heart J 2007;28:1814-1819.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  79. Wilkinson GR. Drug metabolism and variability among patients in drug response N Engl J Med 2005;352:2211-2221.[Free Full Text]
  80. Lau WC, Carville DGM, Guyer KE, Neer CJ, Bates ER. St. John’s wort enhances the platelet inhibitory effect of clopidogrel "resistant" healthy volunteers J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;45:382(abstr).
  81. Lee SW, Park SW, Hong MK, et al. Triple versus dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary stenting: impact on stent thrombosis J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;46:1833-1837.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  82. Angiolillo DJ, Fernandez-Ortiz A, Bernardo E, et al. Influence of aspirin resistance on platelet function profiles in patients on long-term aspirin and clopidogrel after percutaneous coronary intervention Am J Cardiol 2006;97:38-43.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  83. Campo G, Valgimigli M, Gemmati D, et al. Poor responsiveness to clopidogrel: drug-specific or class-effect mechanism?. Evidence from a clopidogrel-to-ticlopidine crossover study. J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;50:1132-1137.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  84. Smith SC, Feldman TE, Hirshfeld JW, et al. ACC/AHA/SCAI 2005 guideline update for percutaneous coronary intervention—summary article. A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on practice guidelines (ACC/AHA/SCAI Writing Committee to update the 2001 guidelines for percutaneous coronary intervention. J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;47:216-235.[Free Full Text]
  85. Hirsh J, Warkentin TE, Shaughnessy SG, et al. Heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, dosing, monitoring, efficacy and safety Chest 2001;119(Suppl 1):64S-94S.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  86. Coughlin SR. Thrombin signaling and protease-activated receptors Nature 2000;407:258-264.[CrossRef][Medline]
  87. Lincoff AM, Bittl JA, Kleiman NS, et al. REPLACE-1 Investigators Comparison of bivalirudin versus heparin during percutaneous coronary intervention (the Randomized Evaluation of PCI Linking Angiomax to Reduced Clinical Events [REPLACE]-1 Trial) Am J Cardiol 2004;93:1092-1096.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  88. Lincoff AM, Bittl JA, Harrington RA, et al. REPLACE-2 Investigators Bivalirudin and provisional glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockade compared with heparin and planned glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockade during percutaneous coronary intervention JAMA 2003;289:853-863.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  89. Gibson CM, Buros JL, Shah S, et al. Association of antiplatelet and antithrombin therapy with ischemia on Holter monitoring following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): a PROTECT TIMI 30 analysis J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;49(Suppl B):39B(abstr).
  90. Gurbel PA, Bliden KP, DiChiara J, et al. Bivalirudin with and without eptifibatide for elective stenting: a pharmacodynamic study of platelet reactivity and its relation to periprocedural myocardial infarction Circulation 2007;116:II518(abstr).
  91. Wiviott SD, Michelson AD, Berger PD, Lepor NE, Kereiakes DJ. Therapeutic goals for effective platelet inhibition: a consensus document Rev Cardiovasc Med 2006;7:214-225.[Web of Science][Medline]
  92. Tantry US, Bliden KP, Gurbel PA. Prasugrel Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2006;15:1627-1633.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  93. Wallentin L, Varenhorst C, James S, et al. Prasugrel achieves greater and faster P2Y12 receptor-mediated platelet inhibition than clopidogrel due to more efficient generation of its active metabolite in aspirin-treated patients with coronary artery disease Eur Heart J 2008;29:21-30.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  94. Jakubowski JA, Matsushima N, Asai F, et al. A multiple dose study of prasugrel (CS-747), a novel thienopyridine P2Y12 inhibitor, compared with clopidogrel in healthy humans Br J Clin Pharmacol 2007;63:421-430.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  95. Weerakkody GJ, Jakubowski JA, Brandt JT, Payne CD, Naganuma H, Winters KJ. Greater inhibition of platelet aggregation and reduced response variability with prasugrel versus clopidogrel: an integrated analysis J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2007;12:205-212.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  96. Wiviott SD, Antman EM, Winters KJ, et al. Randomized comparison of prasugrel (CS-747, LY640315), a novel thienopyridine P2Y12 antagonist, with clopidogrel in percutaneous coronary intervention: results of the Joint Utilization of Medications to Block Platelets Optimally (JUMBO)-TIMI 26 trial Circulation 2005;111:3366-3373.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  97. Wiviott SD, Antman EM, Gibson CM, et al. Evaluation of prasugrel compared with clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes: design and rationale for the TRial to assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by optimizing platelet InhibitioN with prasugrel Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 38 (TRITON-TIMI 38) Am Heart J 2006;152:627-635.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  98. Wiviott SD, Braunwald E, McCabe CH, et al. Prasugrel versus clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes N Engl J Med 2007;357:2001-2015.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  99. Wivott SD, Trenk D, Frelinger AL, et al. Prasugrel compared with high loading- and maintenance-dose clopidogrel in patients with planned percutaneous coronary intervention Circulation 2007;116:2923-2932.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  100. Tantry US, Bliden KP, Gurbel PA. AZD6140 Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2007;16:225-229.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  101. Husted S, Emanuelsson H, Heptinstall S, et al. Pharmacodyamics, pharmokinetics, and safety of the oral reversible P2Y12 antogonist AZD6140 with aspirin in patients with atherosclerosis: a double-blind comparison to clopidogrel with aspirin Eur Heart J 2006;27:1038-1047.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  102. Cannon CP, Husted S, Harrington RA, et al. Safety, tolerability and initial efficacy of AZD6140, the first reversible oral adenosine diphosphate receptor antagonist, compared with clopidogrel, in patients with non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome—primary results of the DISPERSE 2 trial J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;50:1844-1851.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  103. Storey RF, Husted S, Harrington RA, et al. Inhibition of platelet aggregation by AZD6140, a reversible oral P2Y12 receptor antagonist, compared with clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;50:1852-1856.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  104. Storey RF, Wilcox RG, Heptinstall S. Comparison of the pharmacodynamic effects of the platelet ADP receptor antagonists clopidogrel and AR-C69931MX in patients with ischaemic heart disease Platelets 2002;13:407-413.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  105. Storey RF, Oldroyd KG, Wilcox RG. Open multicentre study of the P2T receptor antagonist AR-C69931MX assessing safety, tolerability and activity in patients with acute coronary syndromes Thromb Haemost 2001;85:401-407.[Web of Science][Medline]
  106. Greenbaum AB, Grines CL, Bittle JA, et al. Initial experience with an intravenous P2Y12 platelet receptor antagonist in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: results from a 2-part, phase II, multicenter, randomized, placebo- and active-controlled trial Am Heart J 2006;151:689e1–10.[Medline]
  107. CHAMPION Trial: Cangrelor versus standard tHerapy to Achieve optimal Management of Platelet InhibitiON http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00385138?order=1 2006Accessed October 29, 2007.
  108. Ahn H-S, Chackalamannil S, Boykow G, Graziano MP, Foster C. Development of proteinase-activated receptor 1 antagonists as therapeutic agents for thrombosis, restenosis, and inflammatory diseases Curr Pharm Design 2003;9:2349-2365.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  109. Moliterno DJ, Jennings L, Becker RC, et al., on behalf of the TRA-PCI Investigators. Results of a multinational randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a novel thrombin receptor antagonist SCH 530348 in percutaneous coronary intervention. Presented at: American College of Cardiology Meetings; March 24, 2007; New Orleans, LA.



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
G. Dangas, R. Mehran, G. Guagliumi, A. Caixeta, B. Witzenbichler, J. Aoki, J. Z. Peruga, B. R. Brodie, D. Dudek, R. Kornowski, et al.
Role of Clopidogrel Loading Dose in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Angioplasty: Results From the HORIZONS-AMI (Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) Trial
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., October 6, 2009; 54(15): 1438 - 1446.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
D. O. Williams and J. D. Abbott
What to Do With Patients Receiving Long-Term Clopidogrel: Reload or Relax?
Circulation, September 16, 2008; 118(12): 1219 - 1222.
[Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Figures Only
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Kereiakes, D. J.
Right arrow Articles by Gurbel, P. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Kereiakes, D. J.
Right arrow Articles by Gurbel, P. A.

 
   
 
home link current link search link archive link topics link cardiology careers link