A simple and rapid point-of-care platelet function assay that guides antiplatelet responses to aspirin and clopidogrel may be of great clinical value for the individual tailoring of therapy. The Plateletworks assay is based on single platelet counting and has been described as a promising point-of-care assay for the monitoring of the effects of the GP IIb/IIIa antagonists. However, data about its utility and reliability in monitoring the effects of thienopyridines is limited. In the present study we assessed reproducibility of the Plateletworks assay over time. In addition, a comparison between the Plateletworks assay and optical aggregometry was performed in a large cohort of patients on maintenance therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel. The Plateletworks assay demonstrated a good agreement with optical aggregometry in measuring the response to clopidogrel. The results of Plateletworks are, however, highly time dependent which implicates that measurements should be performed within 10 min.
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