Platelet Surface CD62p and Serum Vitamin D Levels are Associated with Clopidogrel Resistance in Chinese Patients with Ischemic Stroke

Abstract Background: To explore the association of platelet activation markers, vitamin D, and antiplatelet drugs resistance in ischemic stroke patients. Methods: A total of 230 patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled in this study. Platelet aggregation, platelet activation marker (CD62p), and vitamin D were measured after 7-14 days of dual antiplatelet treatment (aspirin + clopidogrel). All individuals were divided into a drug resistance group and a drug sensitive group according to the platelet maximum aggregation rate induced by antagonist adenosine diphosphate or arachidonic acid. Results: In this study, the prevalence of aspirin resistance was low (1.2%), while the prevalence of clopidogrel resistance (CR) was 24.8%, so we focused on CR. The percentage of CD62p on activated platelet [(25.74 ± 4.61) versus (12.41 ± 3.93), P P  = .021] in CR group were significantly higher than those in clopidogrel sensitive (CS) group, while the vitamin D concentration [(8.96 ± 4.41) versus (13.9 ± 4.84) ng/mL, P  = .003] in CR group was significantly lower compared with the CS group. No significant difference was found in soluble P-selectin between these 2 groups [(56.2 ± 16.13) versus (54.2 ± 14.87) ng/mL, P  = .258], neither in calcium [(2.29 ± .12) versus (2.33 ± .13) mmol/L, P  = .821]. Logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 5.348, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.184-23.350, P  = .026), expression of platelet CD62p (OR = 1.095, 95% CI 1.052-1.201, P  = .018) and vitamin D level (OR = .832, 95% CI .763-.934, P  = .005) were associated with CR in ischemic stroke patients. Conclusions: CR in ischemic stroke patients is associated with several independent predictors, including increased platelet activation marker CD62p, decreased vitamin D level, and hypertension.