Clopidogrel Resistance in Stroke Cases

Abstract

Introduction:Clopidogrel treatment is one of the standard treatments in terms of reducing mortality and morbidity in patients with cerebrovascular disease diagnosed with large artery atherosclerosis. However, resistance to clopidogrel treatment is a significant problem today. In this study, we aimed to retrospectively investigate clopidogrel resistance (CR) and related factors in patients with detected large artery atherosclerosis who were evaluated for cerebrovascular disease.Methods:A total of 96 patients, including 31 females and 65 males, were evaluated in the neurology and neuroradiology clinics with the diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease. Age, gender, presence of CR, and complete blood count values [platelet count (PLT), platelecrit (PCT), mean platelet volume, white blood cells, platelet distribution width] were evaluated. Impedance Aggregometry was used to evaluate CR in the study. The results were given as the area under the curve. An adenosine diphosphate value higher than 46 U was taken as a resistance indicator. The relationship between blood tests and CR was investigated.Results:CR was detected in 33.3% (n=32) of 96 patients. PLT (295.7±12.4) and PCT values (0.3±0.01) were significantly higher in patients with resistance than those without resistance (p<0.005).Conclusion:This study shows that high PLT and PCT values can be used to predict CR.

Keywords

• cerebrovascular diseases
• clopidogrel
• resistance
• platelet count
• platelecrit