Effects of clopidogrel and aspirin in combination versus aspirin alone on platelet activation and major receptor expression in patients after recent ischemic stroke: For the Plavix Use for Treatment of Stroke (PLUTO-Stroke) trial

Victor L. Serebruany, Alex I. Malinin, Wendy Ziai, Alex N. Pokov, Deepak L. Bhatt, Mark J. Alberts, Dan F. Hanley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and Purpose - Clopidogrel is widely used in patients after recent ischemic stroke; however, its ability to yield additional antiplatelet protection on top of aspirin has never been explored in a controlled study. To determine whether Clopidogrel with aspirin (C+ASA) will produce more potent platelet inhibition than aspirin alone (ASA) in patients after ischemic stroke, we conducted the Plavix Use for Treatment of Stroke trial. Methods - Seventy patients after ischemic stroke were randomly assigned to C+ASA or ASA groups. Platelet studies included aggregometry; cartridge-based analyzers; expression of PECAM-1, P-selectin, GP IIb/IIIa (antigen and activity), vitronectin receptor, and formation of platelet-leukocyte microparticles by flow cytometry. Platelet tests were performed at baseline and after 30 days after randomization. Results - There were no deaths, hospitalizations, or serious adverse events. There were no differences in the baseline platelet characteristics between C+ASA and ASA groups, or significant changes in platelet parameters in the ASA group, except diminished collagen-induced aggregation (P=0.001). In contrast, therapy with C+ASA resulted in a significant inhibition of platelet activity assessed by ADP- (P=0.00001) and collagen-induced (P=0.02) aggregation; closure time prolongation (P=0.03), and reduction of platelet activation units with Ultegra (P=0.00001); expression of PECAM-1 (P=0.01), and GP IIb/IIIa activity with PAC-1 (P=0.02) when compared with ASA group. Therapy with C+ASA also resulted in the reduced formation of platelet-leukocyte microparticles (P=0.02). Conclusion - Treatment with C+ASA for 1 month provides significantly greater inhibition of platelet activity than ASA alone in patients after recent ischemic stroke in the frame of the small randomized trial.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2289-2292
Number of pages4
JournalStroke
Volume36
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2005

Keywords

  • Aspirin
  • Clinical trial
  • Clopidogrel
  • Platelets
  • Stroke

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Advanced and Specialized Nursing

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