Individualized antiplatelet therapy for non-cardiogenic ischemic stroke

Abstract

ObjectiveThis research aims to investigate the impact of individualized antiplatelet therapy guided by thromboelastography with platelet mapping (TEG-PM) on the clinical outcomes of patients with non-cardiogenic ischemic stroke. MethodsAmong a total of 1264 patients, 684 individuals diagnosed with non-cardiogenic ischemic stroke underwent TEG-PM testing. Based on the adjustment of antiplatelet medication, these patients were divided into individual and control groups. Within the individual group, in accordance with the TEG-PM test results, a Maximum amplitude (MA) value greater than 47mm was defined as high residual platelet reactivity (HRPR), while an MA value less than 31mm was defined as low residual platelet reactivity (LRPR). Patients with arachidonic acid (AA) less than 50% and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) less than 30% were classified as aspirin-resistant or clopidogrel-resistant. Treatment strategies for antiplatelet medication were subsequently adjusted accordingly, encompassing increment, decrement, or replacement of drugs. Meanwhile, the control group maintained their original medication regimen without alterations. ResultsThe individual group included 487 patients, while the control group had 197. In the individual group, approximately 175 patients (35.9%) were treated with increased medication dosages, 89 patients (18.3%) with reduced dosages, and 223 patients (45.8%) switched medications. The results showed that the incidence rate of ischemic events in the individual group was lower than that of the control group (5.54% vs. 12.6%, P = 0.001), but no significant difference was observed in bleeding events. Cox regression analysis revealed age (hazard ratio, 1.043; 95% CI, 1.01-1.078; P = 0.011) and coronary heart disease (hazard ratio, 1.902; 95% CI, 1.147-3.153; P = 0.013) as significant risk factors for adverse events. ConclusionIndividualized antiplatelet therapy based on TEG-PM results can reduce the risk of ischemic events in patients with non-cardiogenic ischemic stroke without increasing the risk of bleeding events or mortality. Advanced age and coronary heart disease were identified as risk factors affecting the outcomes of individualized antiplatelet therapy.