Serum fibrinogen is a better predictor of periprocedural events than platelet reactivity.

Original title: Elevated Plasma Fibrinogen Rather Than Residual Platelet Reactivity After Clopidogrel Pre-Treatment Is Associated With an Increased Ischemic Risk During Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. Reference: Lawrence Ang et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 2013;61:23–34.

Platelet function tests have identified differences in the response of each patient to clopidogrel and minor platelet inhibition has been associated with thrombotic and ischemic events post coronary angioplasty (TCA). 

Fibrinogen, an acute phase reactant, is involved in the final common pathway of the coagulation cascade. The objective of this study was to clarify the role of fibrinogen in short term ischemic events in patients receiving clopidogrel treatment which underwent a scheduled TCA. 

A total of 189 patients without angiographic evidence of any complications after TCA who were taking CRP, fibrinogen, cardiac biomarker and a platelet function test using VerifyNow P2Y12 platelet function. A serum fibrinogen level of ≥ 345 mg/dl in the absence of systemic inflammation (CRP ≤ 0.5 mg / dl) was independently associated with periprocedural infarction. No relationship was found between residual platelet reactivity on clopidogrel and the same event.

Conclusion 

In patients who underwent scheduled coronary angioplasty, serum fibrinogen level was associated independently with periprocedural myocardial unlike platelet reactivity.

Editorial Comment:

The lack of association in this study between platelet reactivity test and periprocedural infarction may be due to the small sample, since other larger studies, (mainly GRAVITAS), showed otherwise. Moreover, this study defined periprocedural infarction as the elevation of troponin or CK-MB > 3 times the normal limit and we have mentioned previously the poor relationship between this elevation and the clinical laboratory.

SOLACI.ORG

More articles by this author

Plaque Ruptures in Non-Culprit Arteries: Follow-Up With Intravascular Imaging

Plaque rupture remains one of the most important pathophysiological mechanisms in acute coronary syndromes. However, not all ruptures manifest clinically as ischemia, myocardial infarction,...

OCT-Detected High-Risk Plaques Predict Recurrent Events After Myocardial Infarction

After a myocardial infarction (MI), non-culprit lesions are often deferred when they are not flow-limiting (negative FFR). However, these lesions continue to represent an...

Ticagrelor vs Clopidogrel in ACS Patients Receiving DOAC After PCI: More Bleeding Without Ischemic Benefit?

In patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who require direct oral anticoagulation (DOAC) and undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), current guidelines recommend a dual...

EuroPCR 2026 | 10-Year Left Main PCI: When Survival Is Similar, Should the Less Invasive Strategy Prevail?

The primary goal of revascularization in left main coronary artery disease (LMCA) is to improve survival. However, debate continues regarding whether, in anatomically suitable...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related Articles

SOLACI Sessionsspot_img
Jornadas Guatemala 2026

Recent Articles

Coronary Obstruction During TAVI: A New Volumetric Index to Consider

Coronary obstruction during TAVI is an uncommon but potentially catastrophic complication, particularly in valve-in-valve procedures, in anatomies with small sinuses of Valsalva, low coronary...

EARLY TAVR: Impact of Age on Outcomes of Early TAVR in Asymptomatic Patients

Asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis represents an increasingly common clinical challenge. Although current guidelines recommend intervention once symptoms develop or left ventricular dysfunction occurs, concerns...

Plaque Ruptures in Non-Culprit Arteries: Follow-Up With Intravascular Imaging

Plaque rupture remains one of the most important pathophysiological mechanisms in acute coronary syndromes. However, not all ruptures manifest clinically as ischemia, myocardial infarction,...