Clopidogrel Reloading in Patients With NSTEACS Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Chronic Clopidogrel Therapy

Clopidogrel Reloading in Patients With Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing PCI on Chronic Clopidogrel Therapy. Results of the ARMYDA RELOAD ACS (Antiplatelet Therapy for Reduction of MYocardial Damage During Angioplasty in Acute Coronary Syndrome) Randomized Trial.

Patients who developed an acute coronary syndrome despite dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel may benefit from a further dose of clopidogrel before a percutaneous coronary intervention.

The aim of this study is to evaluate safety and effectiveness of clopidogrel reloading in patients on chronic clopidogrel therapy with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• chronic (> 10 days) therapy with clopidogrel (75 mg/day)
• non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS) requiring early diagnostic angiography

Exclusion Criteria:

• primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction
• platelet count < 70 × 10^9/L
• high bleeding risk
• coronary bypass grafting in the previous 3 months