The Role of Antiplatelet agents in ischemic events

Antiplatelet treatment could be a key in pharmacological treatment for avoidance of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. Depending on sign, term of antiplatelet monotherapy or double treatment is shifted. Antiplatelet treatment is shown to avoid a repeat of cardiovascular occasion, in any case, expanded term of dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT) related with expanded hazard of bleeding. Unstable angina happens due to partially or totally block of the blood coronary blood vessel driving to coronary ischaemia. Intense coronary infection happens due to drawn out coronary ischaemia which causes coronary diseases. Keywords: dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT), coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.

Clopidogrel Resistance in Patients With Stroke Recurrence Under Single or Dual Antiplatelet Treatment

Background: The factors associated with clopidogrel resistance in patients with stroke recurrence receiving single or dual antiplatelet treatment (SAPT or DAPT) may differ. This study compared the high on-treatment platelet reactivities (HPRs) and the factors associated with clopidogrel resistance in recurrent ischemic stroke patients receiving clopidogrel or aspirin and clopidogrel.Methods: We enrolled and allocated 275 recurrent ischemic stroke patients to the clopidogrel and DAPT groups and compared their demographics, conventional risk factors, and P2Y12 reaction units (PRUs). Clopidogrel resistance was categorized as PRU higher than 275. We performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the factors underlying clopidogrel resistance during SAPT and DAPT.Results: In total, 145 (52.7%) and 130 (47.3%) patients received clopidogrel and DAPT, respectively at recurrence. The risk factors of the two groups were not significantly different, except that coronary artery disease was more frequent in the DAPT group. The PRU was higher (255 ± 91 vs. 221 ± 84; p = 0.002) and clopidogrel resistance was more frequent (45.5 vs. 31.5%; p = 0.018) in the SAPT than in the DAPT group. Hyperlipidemia was associated with clopidogrel resistance during SAPT, and smoking (Odds ratio = 0.426, 95% confidence interval 0.210–0.861; p = 0.018) had a protective effect against clopidogrel resistance. For those receiving DAPT, old age, female, low hemoglobin A1c level, and high ARU were associated with clopidogrel resistance.Conclusions: HPR and clopidogrel resistance were more frequent in recurrent ischemic stroke patients receiving clopidogrel than in those receiving DAPT. Smoking was independently associated with less clopidogrel resistance among those receiving clopidogrel SAPT but not in those receiving DAPT.

Efficacy of Dual Antiplatelet Treatment in Minor stroke or TIA Patients with Multiple Acute Infarctions and Lower Level of Stress Hyperglycemic Marker – A Post-hoc Analysis of a Randomized Control Trial

Background We intended to investigate how the interaction between glycemic status and infarction pattern affected the efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet treatment in minor stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients.Methods This post-hoc analysis of the Clopidogrel in High-Risk Patients with Acute Nondisabling Cerebrovascular Events (CHANCE) study included 797 patients with complete data of stress hyperglycemia markers (fasting plasma glucose (FPG)/glycated albumin (GA) ratio) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging work-up. The primary outcome is a 90-day new stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic). Other endpoints included combined vascular events and bleeding events at 90 days. We used multivariable Cox regression models to evaluate the influence of stress hyperglycemia status × infarction pattern (Multiple acute infarctions (MAI), Single acute infarction (SAI) and No acute infarction (NAI)) on the efficacy and safety of clopidogrel plus aspirin treatment.Results Among 797 patients, the median age was 63.1 years, and 64.9% of the patients were male. Within the 90-day after randomization, 73 (9.2%) new strokes 75 (9.4%) combined vascular events, and 17 (2.1%) bleeding events occurred. Dual antiplatelet treatment significantly reduced new stroke and combined vascular events in patients with lower FPG/GA ratio (lower than the median of FPG/GA ratio) and multiple acute infarctions, after adjusted for all potential confounders (11.9% vs. 23.3%, adjusted HR(95% confidence interval, CI): 0.240(0.080–0.713)). No significant reductions of recurrence or occurrence of combined vascular events were seen in the other three groups (NAI or SAI with lower FPG/GA ratio; NAI or SAI with higher FPG/GA ratio and MA with higher FPG/GA ratio). The proportion of bleeding events was similar among treatment groups regardless of the FPG/GA ratio or infarction pattern.Conclusions Clopidogrel plus aspirin treatment was associated with reduced 90-day new stroke or combined vascular events in patients with multiple acute infarctions and lower FPG/GA ratio, without increasing the risk of bleeding events.

De-escalation therapy after acute coronary syndrome: is it reasonable to switch from prasugrel (or ticagrelor) to clopidogrel early?

Dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT) is the treatment of choice to prevent atherothrombotic events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with percutaneous interventions (PCIs). The availability of different P2Y12 inhibitors set the stage for costum made DAPT, as to achieve the highest profile of safety and efficacy. The de-escalation therapy for the newer and more powerful antiplatelet drugs, such as ticagrelor and prasugrel, to clopidogrel, is a strategy for patients with recent ACS, unfit for continuing DAPT for their high risk of bleeding, or side effects, or socio-economic reasons, but without a prohibitive ischaemic risk. There is a need for compelling clinical evidences able to provide the clinical cardiologist with the necessary information to decide the best antiplatelet strategy for each individual patient.