Thromb Haemost 2012; 108(05): 937-945
DOI: 10.1160/TH12-06-0408
Platelets and Blood Cells
Schattauer GmbH

Thrombus and antiplatelet therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus

A prospective study after non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome and a randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled study in stable angina
Girish N. Viswanathan
1   Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
,
Sally M. Marshall
1   Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
,
Clyde B. Schechter
2   Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
,
Karthik Balasubramaniam
1   Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
,
José J. Badimon
3   Atherothrombosis Research Unit, Cardiovascular Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
,
Azfar G. Zaman
1   Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
4   Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS TRust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
› Author Affiliations
Financial support: This study was supported by the British Heart Foundation (BHF/033/07) and The Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Comprehensive Local Research Network (CLRN) (UKCRN 5159 and 7338).
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 18 June 2012

Accepted after minor revision: 07 August 2012

Publication Date:
29 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with higher rates of thrombotic complications in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) despite optimal medical therapy. Thrombus area was measured in T2DM and non-diabetic patients receiving aspirin and clopidogrel 7–10 days after troponin positive Non ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Secondly, we assessed response to clopidogrel in naive patients with T2DM and stable CAD in a randomised controlled trial. Thrombus area was measured by Badimon chamber and platelet reactivity by VerifyNow®. In T2DM patients presenting with NSTE-ACS, thrombus area was greater compared to non-diabetic patients (mean ± SD, 20,512 ± 12,567 [n=40] vs. 14,769 ± 8,531 [n=40] μm2/mm, p=0.02) Clopidogrel decreased thrombus area among stable CAD patients with T2DM (mean ± SD, Clopidogrel [n=45]: 13,978 ± 5,502 to 11,192 ± 3,764 μm2/mm vs. placebo [n=45]: 13,959 ± 7,038 to 14,201 ± 6,780 μm2/mm, p<0.001, delta values: clopidogrel vs. placebo, mean ± SD, 2,786 ± 4,561 vs. –249 ± 2,478, p<0.0005). Only 44% of patients with CAD and T2DM responded to clopidogrel as per VerifyNow® (cut-off PRUz value of ≥240). Importantly, no correlation was observed between thrombus area and VerifyNow® values (rho 0.08, p=0.49). Thrombus area values were similar among hypo-responders and good responders to clopidogrel (mean thrombus area ± SD: 12,186 ± 4,294 vs. 10,438 ± 3,401; p=0.17). Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased blood thrombogenicity among NSTE-ACS patients on currently recommended medical therapy. Thrombus area was significantly reduced in all stable CAD patients independently of their response to clopidogrel therapy.

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