Response to antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing invasive treatment due to acute coronary syndrome complicated by cardiogenic shock

INTRODUCTION: There are limited data on platelet reactivity and response to antiplatelet drugs in patients with cardiogenic shock. AIM: To assess platelet reactivity on dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and ticagrelor, a novel potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, in patients with cardiogenic shock in the course of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who received invasive treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 12 consecutive patients with ACS complicated by cardiogenic shock. To assess response to antiplatelet therapy during cardiogenic shock, only patients with symptoms persisting for at least 3 days and who completed a 5-day follow-up were included in the study. Patients received a loading dose of ASA (300 mg) and ticagrelor (180 mg), followed by a maintenance dose (ASA, 1 × 75 mg; ticagrelor, 2 × 90 mg). Blood samples for platelet function tests were collected. Platelet aggregation was assessed with a Multiplate whole-blood impedance aggregometer. Arachidonic acid (AA), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP) were used as aggregation agonists. RESULTS: Response to antiplatelet therapy assessed by aggregometry showed numerically higher on-ASA platelet reactivity on day one and statistically significant higher on-ticagrelor platelet reactivity on day one in comparison with following days. There were 2 patients with high on ASA platelet reactivity and 3 with high on ticagrelor platelet reactivity, but only on the day one. CONCLUSIONS: Some patients with cardiogenic shock in the course of ACS treated invasively show a lower response to ASA and ticagrelor only on the first day after invasive treatment, with a good response on subsequent days.