The assessment of aspirin resistance by using light transmission and multiple electrode aggregometry

• Published in: International journal of laboratory hematology 2011-06, Vol.33 (3), p.305-309
• Main Authors: ULEHLOVA, J., SLAVIK, L., KRCOVA, V., HUTYRA, M., GALUSZKA, J., INDRAK, K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acetylsalicylic acid; Adult; Aged; Aspirin - pharmacology; Drug Resistance; Female; Humans; light transmission aggregometry (LTA); Male; Middle Aged; multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA); Platelet Aggregation - drug effects; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors - pharmacology; Platelet Function Tests; Platelet resistance; Sensitivity and Specificity
• ISSN: 1751-5521; 1751-553X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-553X.2010.01286.x

Summary Introduction:  The issues related to aspirin [acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)] resistance are still under debate. Depending on the method of assessment and studied patients, the prevalence of ASA resistance is rather heterogeneous, ranging from 5% to 45%. The method most commonly used for assessing platelet function is their aggregation. ASA irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1) by acetylation. Methods:  This study aimed to compare light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) for the measurement of ASA resistance, using arachidonic acid as an inducer of the reaction. Results:  The study comprised 101 patients with stable ischemic heart disease taking a daily dose of 100 mg of ASA. The rates of ASA resistance were 22.22% and 21.21% as detected by LTA and MEA, respectively. The two methods were statistically compared using Spearman’s nonparametric correlation analysis, with a positive significant correlation (P = 0.01) and medium positive dependence between the methods (r = 0.0539). Conclusion:  If ASA resistance is detected by laboratory tests, replacement of ASA or its combination with other antiplatelet drugs as well as increased dosage may be considered.