Boosting platelet inhibition in poor responder to aspirin and clopidogrel undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: role of tirofiban

PAR-1 antagonists: current state of evidence

Vorapaxar (SCH 530348) and atopaxar (E5555) are oral protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) antagonists with high bioavailability. They inhibits thrombin induced platelet aggregation by competitively inhibiting PAR-1. We systematically evaluated the evidence for the efficacy and safety of all PAR-1 antagonists as well as for the individual drugs vorapaxar and atopaxar in different databases-PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane register of Controlled Clinical Trials (CENTRAL).We selected randomized controlled trials of PAR-1 antagonists that reported on cardiovascular mortality as a clinical outcome. The random-effects Mantel-Haenszel model was used to evaluate the effect of PAR-1 antagonists on cardiovascular mortality. Seven trials were selected (N = 42,355) for analysis. PAR-1 antagonists as a class, as well as individually, were associated with a non-significant numerically lower risk of cardiovascular mortality than that seen with agents used in the control group; RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.83-1.04; P = 0.20). No heterogeneity was noted. However, PAR-1 antagonists also appeared to increase the risk of bleeding significantly. PAR-1 antagonists appear to be associated with some reduction in the risk of cardiovascular mortality; however the significantly higher bleeding risk noted with PAR-1 antagonists appear to mandate a very careful selection of patients that may benefit without a substantially increased risk of bleeds.

Effect of proton pump inhibitors on platelet inhibition activity of clopidogrel in Chinese patients with percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) on the antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel in a consecutive series of Chinese patients after they had received coronary stents.

METHODS

A sample of 51 consecutive Chinese patients treated with coronary stents and taking PPI and clopidogrel for more than 30 days were enrolled in this study. Mean values for platelet residual units and percentage inhibition before PPI (+PPI) and 14 days after discontinuation of PPI (-PPI) were compared using the paired t-test.

RESULTS

There was no effect of concomitant use of esomeprazole and clopidogrel or omeprazole and clopidogrel on the inhibition assay, but platelet residual units and percentage inhibition showed statistically significant improvement after stopping lansoprazole in Chinese patients who were on chronic clopidogrel therapy. Clopidogrel resistance existed more frequently in the Chinese-American population examined, and was as high as 68% (+PPI) to 73% (-PPI).

CONCLUSION

The clopidogrel resistance found is cause for concern, although its relationship with clinical events is currently unknown in this population. Further study with other thienopyridines or genetic variant analysis is suggested.