Effect of Clopidogrel on Platelet Membrane CD40 Ligand in Coronary Artery Disease Patients Undertaking Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objectives To investigate the change and clinical significance of clopidogrel on platelet membrane CD40L in coronary artery disease patients before and after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). Methods 30 cases who were diagnosis coronary artery diseases(CAD) by coronary angiography, mean age 56±9 years old. All the patients who had no antiplatelet aggregation contraindication, were treated with standard anti angina pectoris drugs. Before PCI, all the patients took clopidogrel 75 mg per day. Activated platelet membrane CD40L express rate was measured by flow cytometry before and after PCI 6 hours. Results Activated platelet membrane CD40L express rate were 3.73±2.15 and 2.46±0.90, respectively in 30 patients before and after PCI 6 hours. Activated platelet membrane CD40L express rate was significantly decrease after PCI 6 hours than that before PCI(P<0.01). Conclusions Clopidogrel has significance effect on platelet membrane CD40L in coronary artery disease patients undergoing PCI. Clopidogrel can suppression platelet activation and prevent thromboembolism event occurrence.