Comparison of the safety and efficacy of emboli prevention devices versus platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition during carotid stenting.

Distal embolization is the main potential risk of carotid stenting, and techniques to minimize this risk are evolving. Between July 1998 and March 2002, 305 consecutive patients who underwent elective or urgent percutaneous carotid intervention at The Cleveland Clinic were prospectively followed. During this period, the clinical practice of carotid stenting evolved from the routine use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs) to routine emboli-prevention device (EPD) placement.

A prospective, blinded determination of the natural history of aspirin resistance among stable patients with cardiovascular disease.

Objectives: This study was designed to determine if aspirin resistance is associated with clinical events.

Background: Aspirin resistance, defined by platelet function testing and presumed clinical unresponsiveness to aspirin, has been previously reported by our group and others. However, little information exists linking the laboratory documentation of aspirin resistance and long-term clinical events.