Resistance to antiplatelet drugs

Antiplatelet drugs are beneficial in the treatment of coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. Platelet function tests have been studied in these cardiovascular diseases as a means to predict clinical outcomes and monitor antiplatelet drugs. There is a well-documented variability between patients (and normal volunteers) with regard to laboratory test responses to antiplatelet drugs. Evidence from small clinical studies suggest that decreased response, or 'resistance', to antiplatelet drugs is associated with subsequent major adverse clinical events. However, it remains unknown whether altering therapy based on platelet function tests is beneficial to patients.