Influence of an abnormal ankle-brachial index on ischemic and bleeding events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Background/Aims@#Bleeding events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have important prognostic implications. Data on the influence of an abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI) on both ischemic and bleeding events in patients undergoing PCI are limited. @*Methods@#We included patients who underwent PCI with available ABI data (abnormal ABI, ≤ 0.9 or > 1.4). The primary endpoint was the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and major bleeding. @*Results@#Among 4,747 patients, an abnormal ABI was observed in 610 patients (12.9%). During follow-up (median, 31 months), the 5-year cumulative incidence of adverse clinical events was higher in the abnormal ABI group than in the normal ABI group: primary endpoint (36.0% vs. 14.5%, log-rank test, p < 0.001); all-cause death (19.4% vs. 5.1%, log-rank test, p < 0.001); MI (6.3% vs. 4.1%, log-rank test, p = 0.013); stroke (6.2% vs. 2.7%, log-rank test, p = 0.001); and major bleeding (8.9% vs. 3.7%, log-rank test, p < 0.001). An abnormal ABI was an independent risk factor for all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR], 3.05; p < 0.001), stroke (HR, 1.79; p = 0.042), and major bleeding (HR, 1.61; p = 0.034). @*Conclusions@#An abnormal ABI is a risk factor for both ischemic and bleeding events after PCI. Our study findings may be helpful in determining the optimal method for secondary prevention after PCI.

Rationale and Design of the High Platelet Inhibition with Ticagrelor to Improve Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (HEALING-AMI) Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#Impaired recovery from left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is a major prognostic factor after myocardial infarction (MI). Because P2Y12 receptor blockade inhibits myocardial injury, ticagrelor with off-target properties may have myocardial protection over clopidogrel. In animal models, ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel protects myocardium against reperfusion injury and improves remodeling after MI. We aimed to investigate the effect of ticagrelor on sequential myocardial remodeling process after MI.@*METHODS@#High platelet inhibition with ticagrelor to improve LV remodeling in patients with ST-segment elevation MI (HEALING-AMI) is an investigator-initiated, randomized, open-label, assessor-blinded, multi-center trial done at 10 sites in Korea. Patients will be enrolled if they have ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention and a planned duration of dual antiplatelet treatment of at least 6 months. Screened patients will be randomly assigned (1:1) using an internet-based randomization with a computer-generated blocking with stratification across study sites to either ticagrelor or clopidogrel treatment. The co-primary primary endpoints are LV remodeling index with three-dimensional echocardiography and the level of N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at 6 months representing post-MI remodeling processes. Changes of LV end-systolic/diastolic volume indices and LV ejection fraction between baseline and 6-month follow-up will be also evaluated. Analysis is per protocol.@*CONCLUSIONS@#HEALING-AMI is testing the effect of ticagrelor in reducing adverse LV remodeling following STEMI. Our trial would show the benefit of ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel related to the recovery of post-MI LV dysfunction beyond potent platelet inhibition.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02224534

Rationale and Design of the High Platelet Inhibition with Ticagrelor to Improve Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (HEALING-AMI) Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Impaired recovery from left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is a major prognostic factor after myocardial infarction (MI). Because P2Y12 receptor blockade inhibits myocardial injury, ticagrelor with off-target properties may have myocardial protection over clopidogrel. In animal models, ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel protects myocardium against reperfusion injury and improves remodeling after MI. We aimed to investigate the effect of ticagrelor on sequential myocardial remodeling process after MI. METHODS: High platelet inhibition with ticagrelor to improve LV remodeling in patients with ST-segment elevation MI (HEALING-AMI) is an investigator-initiated, randomized, open-label, assessor-blinded, multi-center trial done at 10 sites in Korea. Patients will be enrolled if they have ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention and a planned duration of dual antiplatelet treatment of at least 6 months. Screened patients will be randomly assigned (1:1) using an internet-based randomization with a computer-generated blocking with stratification across study sites to either ticagrelor or clopidogrel treatment. The co-primary primary endpoints are LV remodeling index with three-dimensional echocardiography and the level of N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at 6 months representing post-MI remodeling processes. Changes of LV end-systolic/diastolic volume indices and LV ejection fraction between baseline and 6-month follow-up will be also evaluated. Analysis is per protocol. CONCLUSIONS: HEALING-AMI is testing the effect of ticagrelor in reducing adverse LV remodeling following STEMI. Our trial would show the benefit of ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel related to the recovery of post-MI LV dysfunction beyond potent platelet inhibition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02224534

Long-term Prognosis and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus Detected after First Acute Myocardial Infarction: from KAMIR-NIH Registry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#After the first acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a considerable proportion of patients are newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM). However, in AMI, controversy remains regarding the disparity in prognosis between previously diagnosed DM (known-DM) and newly diagnosed DM (new-DM).@*METHODS@#The study included 10,455 patients with AMI (non-DM, 6,236; new-DM, 659; known-DM, 3,560) admitted to one of 15 participating centers in Korea between November 2011 and January 2016 (average follow-up, 523 days). We compared the characteristics and clinical course of patients with known-DM and those with new- or non-DM.@*RESULTS@#Compared to patients with known-DM, those with new-DM or non-DM were younger, more likely to be male, and less likely to have hypertension, dyslipidemia, prior stroke, angina, or myocardial infarction. Compared to patients with new-DM or non-DM (reference), those with known-DM had higher risks of major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio [HR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.35; p=0.004), cardiac death (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.01–1.57; p=0.042), and congestive heart failure (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.20–2.08). Unlike known-DM, new-DM did not increase the risk of cardiac events (including death).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Known-DM was associated with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events after AMI, while new-DM had a similar risk of cardiac events as that noted for non-DM. There were different cardiovascular outcomes according to diabetes status in patients with AMI.

Long-term Prognosis and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus Detected after First Acute Myocardial Infarction: from KAMIR-NIH Registry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: After the first acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a considerable proportion of patients are newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM). However, in AMI, controversy remains regarding the disparity in prognosis between previously diagnosed DM (known-DM) and newly diagnosed DM (new-DM). METHODS: The study included 10,455 patients with AMI (non-DM, 6,236; new-DM, 659; known-DM, 3,560) admitted to one of 15 participating centers in Korea between November 2011 and January 2016 (average follow-up, 523 days). We compared the characteristics and clinical course of patients with known-DM and those with new- or non-DM. RESULTS: Compared to patients with known-DM, those with new-DM or non-DM were younger, more likely to be male, and less likely to have hypertension, dyslipidemia, prior stroke, angina, or myocardial infarction. Compared to patients with new-DM or non-DM (reference), those with known-DM had higher risks of major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio [HR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.35; p=0.004), cardiac death (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.01–1.57; p=0.042), and congestive heart failure (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.20–2.08). Unlike known-DM, new-DM did not increase the risk of cardiac events (including death). CONCLUSIONS: Known-DM was associated with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events after AMI, while new-DM had a similar risk of cardiac events as that noted for non-DM. There were different cardiovascular outcomes according to diabetes status in patients with AMI.

Prognostic value of total triiodothyronine and free thyroxine levels for the heart failure in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although a low triiodothyronine (T3) state is closely associated with heart failure (HF), it is uncertain whether total T3 levels on admission is correlated with the clinical outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic value of total T3 levels for major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in patients with AMI undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: A total of 765 PCI-treated AMI patients (65.4 ± 12.6 years old, 215 women) between January 2012 and July 2014 were included and 1-year MACCEs were analyzed. We assessed the correlation of total T3 and free thyroxine (fT4) with prevalence of 1-year MACCEs and the predictive values of total T3, fT4, and the ratio of total T3 to fT4 (T3/fT4), especially for HF requiring re-hospitalization. RESULTS: Thirty patients (3.9%) were re-hospitalized within 12 months to control HF symptoms. Total T3 levels were lower in the HF group than in the non-HF group (84.32 ± 21.04 ng/dL vs. 101.20 ± 20.30 ng/dL, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed the cut-offs of total T3 levels (≤ 85 ng/dL) and T3/fT4 (≤ 60) for HF (area under curve [AUC] = 0.734, p < 0.001; AUC = 0.774, p < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, lower T3/fT4 was an independent predictor for 1-year HF in PCI-treated AMI patients (odds ratio, 1.035; 95% confidential interval, 1.007 to 1.064; p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Lower levels of total T3 were well correlated with 1-year HF in PCI-treated AMI patients. The T3/fT4 levels can be an additional marker to predict HF.

A Rare Case of Left Ventricular Noncompaction in LEOPARD Syndrome

No abstract available.

Antiplatelet Therapy Combinations and Thrombogenicity in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Combination antiplatelet therapy reduces the risk of ischemic stroke compared with aspirin monotherapy in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. The underlying mechanism, however, remains unclear. In addition, the association between platelet inhibition and thrombogenicity in NVAF has not been evaluated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We randomized 60 patients with NVAF that were taking 100 mg of aspirin daily (>1 month) to adding 75 mg of clopidogrel daily (CLPD group), 100 mg of cilostazol twice daily (CILO group), or 1000 mg of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid twice daily (PUFA group). Biomarkers (von Willebrand factor antigen [vWF:Ag], fibrinogen, D-dimer, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) and platelet reactivity (PR), which were the levels stimulated by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), thrombin-receptor agonist peptide, collagen, and arachidonic acid, were measured at baseline and 30-day follow-up. RESULTS: Combination antiplatelet therapy significantly reduced vWF:Ag and fibrinogen levels (7.7 IU/dL, p=0.015 and 15.7 mg/dL, p=0.005, respectively), but no changes were found in D-dimer and hs-CRP levels. The CLPD and CILO groups showed fibrinogen and vWF:Ag level reductions (24.9 mg/dL, p=0.015 and 9.3 IU/dL, p=0.044, respectively), whereas the PUFA group did not show any differences in biomarkers. Irrespective of regimen, the changes in fibrinogen and vWF:Ag levels were mainly associated with the change in ADP-mediated PR (r=0.339, p=0.008 and r=0.322, p=0.012, respectively). CONCLUSION: In patients with NVAF, combination antiplatelet therapy showed reductions for vWF:Ag and fibrinogen levels, which may be associated with the inhibitory levels of ADP-mediated PR. The clinical implications of these findings need to be evaluated in future trials.

A Case of Cardiac Arrest due to Multivessel, Diffuse Coronary Spasm in Moyamoya Disease / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Moyamoya disease is characterized by progressive stenosis of the distal portion of the internal carotid arteries and fragile collateral vessels in the brain. The precise pathogenesis is still not known. Although extracranial vessel involvement is very rare, coronary arterial involvement has recently been reported. Here, we report a case of diffuse, multivessel coronary spasm leading to cardiac arrest and myocardial infarction in a 47-year-old man with moyamoya disease with no underlying emotional or physical stress.

Prognostic value of computed tomographic coronary angiography and exercise electrocardiography for cardiovascular events

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study is a head-to-head comparison of predictive values for long-term cardiovascular outcomes between exercise electrocardiography (ex-ECG) and computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) in patients with chest pain. METHODS: Four hundred and forty-two patients (mean age, 56.1 years; men, 61.3%) who underwent both ex-ECG and CTCA for evaluation of chest pain were included. For ex-ECG parameters, the patients were classified according to negative or positive results, and Duke treadmill score (DTS). Coronary artery calcium score (CACS), presence of plaque, and coronary artery stenosis were evaluated as CTCA parameters. Cardiovascular events for prognostic evaluation were defined as unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, revascularization, heart failure, and cardiac death. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 2.8 ± 1.1 years. Fifteen patients experienced cardiovascular events. Based on pretest probability, the low- and intermediate-risks of coronary artery disease were 94.6%. Odds ratio of CACS > 40, presence of plaque, coronary stenosis ≥ 50% and DTS ≤ 4 were significant (3.79, p = 0.012; 9.54, p = 0.030; 6.99, p < 0.001; and 4.58, p = 0.008, respectively). In the Cox regression model, coronary stenosis ≥ 50% (hazard ratio, 7.426; 95% confidence interval, 2.685 to 20.525) was only significant. After adding DTS ≤ 4 to coronary stenosis ≥ 50%, the integrated discrimination improvement and net reclassification improvement analyses did not show significant. CONCLUSIONS: CTCA was better than ex-ECG in terms of predicting long-term outcomes in low- to intermediate-risk populations. The predictive value of the combination of CTCA and ex-ECG was not superior to that of CTCA alone.

The Effect of Cilostazol on Arterial Stiffness in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Increased arterial stiffness is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase type 3 inhibitor, is a unique antiplatelet agent with vasodilatory and vasoprotective effects. Therefore, we hypothesized that cilostazol may affect arterial stiffness. METHODS: We enrolled 161 patients (112 males; mean age, 63 years) who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ischemic heart disease. The brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), radial augmentation index (rAI), rAI adjusted for a heart rate of 75 beats/min (rAI75), central systolic blood pressure (cSBP), and central pulse pressure (cPP), were measured at baseline and at the 30-day follow-up. Parameter changes were compared between the cilostazol group (n = 51) and the control group (n = 110). RESULTS: In the cilostazol group, the values for rAI, cSBP, and cPP all improved after 30 days, while the control group displayed no significant interval changes in these parameters. The changes in rAI75 and baPWV did not differ significantly between the two groups. The changes in rAI, cSBP, and cPP were related to brachial systolic blood pressure, brachial diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and the use of cilostazol and beta-blockers. In a multivariate analysis, the use of cilostazol was identified an independent factor associated with changes in rAI, cSBP, and cPP. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of cilostazol to conventional antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing PCI may be associated with improvements in rAI, cSBP, and cPP, but not in rAI75 or baPWV. Therefore, the effects of cilostazol might be related to an increased heart rate.

Comparison of Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography and Exercise ECG Test for Diagnostic Accuracy in Real-World Practice / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The exercise ECG test (XECG) and computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) have been used widely in initial evaluations of coronary artery disease (CAD) in real-world practice. In this study, we compared the diagnostic power of CTCA and XECG, based on conventional coronary angiography (CCA). METHODS: We enrolled 589 consecutive patients retrospectively who had been examined with both XECG and CTCA for the evaluation of CAD in outpatient clinics. Significant stenosis was defined as more than 50% diameter stenosis. Triage to CCA and/or revascularization treatment (RT) by the results of XECG and CTCA and the diagnostic accuracy of both exams, based on CCA, were investigated. RESULTS: In the 589 patients, 107 (19%) were triaged to CCA for further evaluation; in 77 (12.8%) significant stenosis was detected on CCA. Also, 65 (11%) patients underwent RT. In the CTCA results, 120 patients had significant stenosis. Of them, 58 (48%) and 75 (62%) patients were triaged to RT and CCA, respectively. Based on the XECG, 115 positive patients were triaged to RT and CCA (23 [20%]/41 [35%]). Among 107 patients with CCA, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for significant stenosis on CCA of CTCA were 89.9%, 74.0%, 90.6%, and 71.4%, respectively, and those of XECG were 50.0, 67.9, 78.0, and 37.3, respectively. The kappa value of CCA and CTCA was 0.62 (p < 0.001) and that of CCA and XECG was 0.145 (p = 0.113). CONCLUSIONS: In real-world practice, CCA was decided on more frequently, based on CTCA. CTCA showed better diagnostic accuracy than XECG.

A Case of Recurrent Spontaneous Hypoglycemia in a 73-year-old Woman with Congestive Heart Failure / 대한내과학회지

Hypoglycemia in adults without diabetes can be caused by drugs, critical illness, hormone deficiency, and hyperinsulinism. Spontaneous hypoglycemia in congestive heart failure has been reported rarely in adults. We report a case of spontaneous hypoglycemia in congestive heart failure in a 73-year-old woman with mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation who had been receiving treatment for 6 years. She had two episodes of low serum glucose with unconsciousness, but there was no evidence of diabetes. Heart failure with concomitant hepatic dysfunction was presumed to have caused the hypoglycemia. She underwent mitral valve replacement after being diagnosed with severe mitral stenosis. There was no episode of hypoglycemia during follow-up.

Permanent Pacemaker Implantation in a Patient with MELAS Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

A 35-year-old male patient with heart and renal failure and pneumonia was transferred to our department due to recurrent cardiac standstill with syncope. He had been diagnosed as and treated for MELAS (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes) syndrome for the past 3 years. Electrocardiography (ECG) showed the Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern, and an echocardiogram showed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He developed syncopal attacks intermittently, and ECG monitoring showed intermittent bradycardia. His Holter monitoring showed several episodes of 5-16 seconds of sinus arrest. We conducted an electrophysiological study to evaluate the arrhythmia. During atrial and ventricular extra-stimuli, cardiac standstill developed several times, and the duration of pauses varied from 2.5 to 5.5 seconds. Abrupt asystolic events also developed accompanying syncopal attacks that were not related to the extra-stimuli. We decided to implant a permanent pacemaker. The patient's syncopal episodes disappeared after implantation of a DDD type pacemaker.

Isolated Left Ventricular Noncompaction with a Congenital Aneurysm Presenting with Recurrent Embolism

Isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare disorder caused by embryonic arrest of compaction. LVNC is sometimes associated with other congenital cardiac disorders; however, there have been few reports of its coexistence with a left ventricular aneurysm. A 40-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for renal infarction. She had a history of embolic cerebral infarction 10 years ago. Transthoracic echocardiography showed prominent trabeculae and deep intertrabecular recesses which are filled with blood from the left ventricular (LV) cavity. A thrombus in the akinetic apical wall was confirmed by contrast echocardiography. Using cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, we rejected a possible diagnosis of suspicion of coronary artery disease. She was diagnosed LVNC with a thrombus in apical aneurysm. Here, we report the first patient in Korea known to have LVNC accompanying LV congenital aneurysm presenting with recurrent embolism.

Isolated Left Main Coronary Artery Spasm Detected by Multidetector Computed Tomography

Although atherosclerotic obstruction is the main cause of left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease, it can also be associated with vasospasm. We report a case of a 61-year-old male who presented with ostial stenosis of the LMCA, detected by 64-slice multi-detector computed tomographic coronary angiography (MDCT-CA). Careful review of MDCT and intravascular ultrasound findings showed suspicion of an isolated spasm of the LMCA without a significant atherosclerotic lesion. The patient was successfully treated with nitrates and a calcium channel blocker.

A Case of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Healed by Medical Treatment: Serial Findings of Coronary Angiography, Intravascular Ultrasound and Multi-Detector Computed Tomography

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon cause of acute coronary syndrome which may be related to lethal condition. Although several modalities including medical therapy have been suggested, agreement on optimal treatment has not yet been determined. We describe a case of SCAD which was presented as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and treated successfully with medical treatment. Coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound and multi-detector computed tomography showed the serial changes of this disease entity.

Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm Evaluated With Multimodality Cardiac Imaging

No abstract available.

The Impact of Smoking on Post-Clopidogrel Platelet Reactivity in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Smoking increases inhibition of clopidogrel-induced platelet reactivity in patients undergoing elective coronary stenting. However, an association between pre-admission smoking (PS) and post-clopidogrel platelet reactivity in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has not been determined. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Study cohorts were recruited from a pool of patients at our hospital who were undergoing coronary stenting for AMI (n=134). Immediately after arrival at the emergency room (ER), all patients received a 600 mg loading dose of clopidogrel followed by a maintenance dose of 75 mg/day. Platelet aggregation was measured with light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) after addition of 5 or 20 micromol/L adenosine diphosphate (ADP). RESULTS: Maximal platelet aggregation (Agg(max)) was lower in PS patients after 5 micromol/L ADP (43.6+/-15.7% vs. 48.4+/-12.5%, p=0.096) and 20 micromol/L ADP stimuli (56.2+/-15.6% vs. 61.3+/-11.6%, p=0.073) compared with non-smoking (NS) patients. However, there were no differences in 5 micromol/L (42.6+/-16.3% vs. 43.8+/-15.6%, p=0.776) and 20 micromol/L ADP-induced Agg(max) (54.8+/-14.3% vs. 56.5+/-15.9%, p=0.692) between PS patients or =0.5 pack/day. Although more PS patients met the criteria for low post-clopidogrel platelet reactivity (LPPR) (< or =37%; the lowest quartile of 5 micromol/L ADP-induced Agg(max)) than NS patients (30.9% vs. 13.5%, p=0.048), advancing age was the only independent predictor of LPPR {odds ratio (OR) 0.960, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.929 to 0.993, p=0.019}. CONCLUSION: PS is significantly not associated with decreased residual platelet reactivity in AMI patients.

The Impact of Generic Clopidogrel Bisulfate on Platelet Inhibition in Patients with Coronary Artery Stents: Results of the ACCEL-GENERIC Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In patients with coronary artery stents, the cost of clopidogrel has been cited as a factor in the premature discontinuation of therapy. Thus, the introduction of lower-cost generic clopidogrel may increase patient compliance. However, platelet inhibition by generic clopidogrel has not been compared to the original clopidogrel formulation in patients with coronary artery stents. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 20 patients receiving chronic therapy with the original clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix(R)). After assessing patient compliance with Plavix(R), maintenance therapy was switched to generic clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavitor(R)). Platelet reactivity was assessed at baseline and 30-day after the switch using conventional aggregometry and the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay. RESULTS: All patients completed maintenance therapy with Plavitor(R). Before and after switching therapy maximal (36.5 +/- 7.9% vs. 39.8 +/- 16.2%, p = 0.280) and late platelet aggregation (23.5 +/- 10.9% vs. 29.1 +/- 18.3%, p = 0.156) with 5 micromol/L adenosine diphosphate (ADP) stimulus did not differ. Likewise, 20 micromol/L ADP-induced platelet aggregation and P2Y12 reaction unit in patients on Plavitor(R) therapy was comparable to that in patients on Plavix(R) therapy. However, Bland-Altman analysis showed wide limits of agreement between measured platelet reactivity on Plavix(R) vs. Plavitor(R) therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients on Plavix(R) maintenance therapy with coronary stents, replacement with Plavitor(R) shows a comparable inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. However, due to poor inter-therapy agreement, between two regimens, physicians may be cautious when introducing generic clopidogrel bisulfate.