Antiplatelet Loading Effects Prior to Endovascular Treatment: Carotid Artery Stenosis versus Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms

OBJECTIVE: Carotid artery stenosis and cerebral aneurism may have different platelet functions and antiplatelet responses because these diseases have different etiologies. In this study, we compared the antiplatelet loading effects prior to endovascular treatment between carotid artery stenosis and unruptured cerebral aneurysm (UCA) patients. METHODS: Nine patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACS), 14 with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (SCS), and 20 with unruptured cerebral aneurysms were enrolled in this study. Antiplatelet (aspirin + clopidogrel) loading effects prior to endovascular treatment were evaluated using light transmission aggregometry and platelet aggregate detection methods. RESULTS: Although there are differences in the prevalence of atherosclerosis risk factors, maximum aggregation rates in light transmission aggregometry and platelet aggregation-prone properties were not different in the three disease groups. CONCLUSION: Preoperative dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel may be appropriate for both carotid artery stenosis and cerebral aneurism patients even though their conditions and background factors differ.