P2Y12 gene H2 haplotype is not associated with increased adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation after initiation of clopidogrel therapy with a high loading dose

A large variability in the antiplatelet response to clopidogrel has been consistently reported. Recently, a P2Y12 haplotype was shown to be associated with enhanced adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers. The aim of this study was to test in patients (n = 416) scheduled for coronary artery stenting whether P2Y12 haplotype H2 carriage is associated with increased ADP-induced platelet aggregation after administration of a 600 mg loading dose of clopidogrel. Blood was drawn from the arterial sheath at least 2 h after administration of 100 mg aspirin and 600 mg clopidogrel. ADP-induced platelet aggregation was assessed in platelet-rich plasma with light-transmission aggregometry. P2Y12 haplotypes (H1/H2) and P2Y12 C32T genotypes were determined with TaqMan assays. Haplotype combinations and genotypes were not associated with parameters of ADP-induced platelet aggregation after administration of a 600 mg loading dose of clopidogrel. Maximal ADP (5 mumol/l)-induced platelet aggregation was similar in patients carrying haplotype H2 and homozygous carriers of haplotype H1 (43.9 +/- 21.4 versus 43.2 +/- 21.1%, respectively; P = 0.77). Carriage of P2Y12 H2 haplotype does not seem to affect the platelet response to a 600 mg loading dose of clopidogrel in coronary artery disease patients prior to stenting.