ARCTIC: Additional proof against antiplatelet adjusted therapy

Abstract

[first paragraph of article]

The prognostic value of high platelet reactivity during treatment with aspirin and/or thienopyridine has been demonstrated repeatedly, leading to the rationale for individualized antiplatelet therapy. Bedside tests have previously been used as screening tools to select patients with a poor response to clopidogrel in order to evaluate different treatments. However, conflicting results of such interventions have been reported in cohort studies and randomized studies.

In randomized studies, the intensification of platelet inhibition in patients with a poor response to clopidogrel failed to improve outcomes when double doses of clopidogrel or prasugrel were used, whereas glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition improved outcomes in these patients.