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Hematology 2007

Aspirin and Clopidogrel Resistance

Desmond J. Fitzgerald1 and Andrew Maree2

Correspondence: Desmond Fitzgerald, MD, UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland; phone 353-1-716-4031; fax 353-1-716-4033; des.fitzgerald{at}ucd.ie

Abstract

Aspirin and clopidogrel provide significant clinical benefit in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, given the complexity of platelet activation, it is not surprising that aspirin or clopidogrel prevent a small proportion of cardiovascular events. Of late, the terms aspirin and clopidogrel "resistance" have entered the physicians’ lexicon, and infer a lack of therapeutic response and a single underlying mechanism, which is misleading. The incidence of "resistance" detected in studies varies with the definition applied and assay used to measure response. Rather than true resistance, however, there is a variable response that reflects the unique pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of each drug, the clinical significance of which remains to be established.

True "aspirin resistance" implies that cyclooxygenase-1 is less sensitive to inactivation by aspirin. Despite 95% inhibition of serum thromboxane B2 by aspirin, residual platelet aggregation is detected in some cases, the clinical significance of which is unknown. Heritable factors directly and indirectly related to platelet cyclooxygenase may influence aspirin response. In contrast to aspirin, the response to clopidogrel is highly variable and reflects the bioavailability of the active metabolite and not "resistance" of the receptor to inhibition.


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