Is monitoring of antiplatelet therapy by light transmission aggregometry dependent on instrument and reagent used?

INTRODUCTION

Light transmission aggregometry (LTA), used to detect clopidogrel resistance in patients under antiplatelet therapy, is prone to multiple variables potentially influencing results and interpretation. Currently, no attention is given to type of aggregometer or reagent used. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interassay variability between two aggregometers (Chronolog700 and TA-8V), using two different ADP reagents (Chrono-Par^® and Agro-Bio ADP) in patients under clopidogrel therapy. Additionally, LTA results were correlated to CYP2C19-polymorphism.

METHODS

Light transmission aggregometry was performed in 20 healthy individuals and 30 patients using both aggregometers, and applying two different reagents (2.5 and 5 µmol/L). The maximum platelet aggregation (ADP_max ), the platelet aggregation at 6 minutes (ADP_6min ), and the percentage of disaggregation at 6 min (ADP_%disaggr ) were compared between four applied combinations. Additionally, 23 clopidogrel-resistant patients according to Chronolog700-Chrono-par^® ADP reagent analysis were tested for CYP2C19*2 polymorphism.

RESULTS

Comparison of the LTA of healthy individuals revealed a significant lower ADP_max , lower ADP_6min , and higher ADP_%disaggr with the TA-8V aggregometer compared to Chronolog700, regardless of the reagent. In contrast, LTA results in patients are depending on the reagent, with significant higher ADP_max and ADP_6min and lower ADP_%disaggr using Chrono-Par^® compared to Agro-Bio ADP reagent. All intermediate clopidogrel metabolizers (CYP2C19*2 carriers) were correctly classified as clopidogrel resistant using Chrono-Par^® , in contrast to the Agro-Bio ADP reagent.

CONCLUSION

Light transmission aggregometry in clopidogrel-treated patients is mainly depending on the type of ADP reagent. Comparison of LTA with genotype reveals that the choice of instrument seems less influencing. In contrast, in the healthy individuals, differences could be attributed to the instrument.

Impact of Test Conditions on ADP-Induced Platelet Function Results With the Multiplate Assay: Is Further Standardization Required?

BACKGROUND

Platelet function testing was suggested to help tailor P2Y₁₂-inhibitor therapy; however, the lack of proper standardization is still a limitation.

METHODS

In a prospective study, we enrolled clopidogrel-treated and P2Y₁₂-inhibitor naive patients to investigate the influence of (1) time from blood collection, (2) stability of the stored Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) reagent, and (3) the use of enoxaparin on results of the Multiplate assay. Measurements were performed from samples kept for 0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes at room temperature before processing. To determine the impact of the reagent stability, freshly thawed ADP was compared with ADP kept for 3 to 5 or 8 to 13 days at 2°C to 8°C. Finally, samples containing enoxaparin at therapeutic or prophylactic doses were compared with enoxaparin-free blood.

RESULTS

A total of 180 measurements were performed. ADP-stimulated platelet reactivity values decreased significantly over time (67 ± 40 U to 68 ± 37 U to 58 ± 37 U to 45 ± 33 U to 35 ± 33 U; P < .0001). Consequently, a dramatic reduction was observed in the proportion of patients with high platelet reactivity ( P < .0001). A significant drop in platelet reactivity was observed with ADP stored for 8 to 13 days as compared to freshly thawed ADP ( P = .011). Enoxaparin triggered a slight, concentration-dependent increase in platelet reactivity ( P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Test conditions may have profound impacts on the obtained results with the Multiplate assay. Our findings highlight the large influence of the time from sample collection until testing, suggesting that measurements should be performed within an hour of blood collection.