Background

Late DES thrombosis has emerged as an important issue. At present, light transmission aggregometry (LTA) remains the gold standard for determining adequate platelet inhibition for DES patients on clopidogrel. However, multiple studies have shown considerable interpatient variability response with poor correlation to subsequent clinical events. Moreover, little data exist regarding the long-term inhibition of patients initially inhibited and compliant with clopidogrel. The aim of this study is to determine the long-term effect of clopidogrel on platelets by serial LTA in patients showing an initial adequate response.