Bedside Platelet Monitoring

INTRODUCTION Platelet tests measure the functional capacity of platelets to adhere, activate, aggregate, and secrete. The goal of platelet function testing is to provide information about the platelet contributions to the risk of thrombotic or hemorrhagic events. Important clinical questions in acute coronary syndromes are whether an antiplatelet agent is having the desired effect on platelet inhibition (efficacy) and whether the patient has sufficient residual platelet function to avoid bleeding (safety). While the role of aspirin and thienopyridines is well established in management of coronary artery disease and in the setting of coronary interventions continued refinement in dosing and patient response continues. Likewise, the last decade has demonstrated the unequivocal efficacy of intravenously administered platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antagonists in the management of acute coronary syndromes and in the setting of percutaneous interventions.