The Relationship Between Aspirin Resistance and Carotid Imaging in Young Patients With ST-Segment Elevated Myocardial Infarction: A Cross-Sectional Study

The presence of carotid atherosclerosis accompanied by coronary artery disease is associated with poor prognosis. A subset of patients who take aspirin continue to have recurrent cardiovascular events, which may be due to aspirin resistance (AR). Also, carotid plaques may cause turbulent flow which in turn may lead to platelet activation and poor antiplatelet response. In our study, we aimed to show the prevalence of AR and its relationship between high-risk carotid images in young patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). In our study, we included 112 patients younger than 45 years with STEMI. Aspirin response test was evaluated 1 hour after aspirin intake using multiplate platelet function analyzer, and carotid ultrasonography has been performed to determine carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) and the presence of carotid plaque. We identified 30.3% AR in young patients with STEMI. Carotid intima–media thickness (P = .002), carotid plaque (P = .012), and high-risk carotid image (P = .015) values are significantly high in patients who have AR. Independent of other risk factors, the presence of carotid plaque and being in the high-risk carotid group were associated with 3.7 times and 3.2 times increased odds for AR, respectively. In young patients with STEMI, physicians should be careful about AR, especially in patients who have carotid plaque and thicker CIMT.