The Total Thrombus Formation (T-TAS) platelet (PL) assay, a novel test that evaluates whole blood platelet thrombus formation under physiological conditions

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT, aspirin, and a P2Y(12) inhibitor) reduces thrombotic events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The T-TAS PL assay uses arterial shear flow over collagen surface, better mimicking in vivo conditions compared to conventional agonist-based platelet function assays, to evaluate platelet function. Here, the platelet function in patients taking DAPT is evaluated with the T-TAS PL assay. In 57 patients with CAD, taking DAPT >= 7 days (n = 22 for clopidogrel, n = 15 for prasugrel, n = 20 for ticagrelor), T-TAS PL assessments were performed in duplicate, and expressed as area under the flow pressure curve within a 10-minute period (AUC10). The duplicate measurements were strongly correlated (r = 0.90, p < .001), with an intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) of 11,5%. For clopidogrel, the median AUC10 was 11.5 (IQR5.9-41.8), for prasugrel 28.8 (IQR10.3-37.6), and for ticagrelor 8.9 (IQR 6.4-10.9). All measurements were below the AUC10 cutoff of 260 measured in healthy volunteers, suggesting excellent discrimination of DAPT-treated and untreated persons. The new T-TAS PL assay demonstrated complete discrimination of platelet function in patients on DAPT based on an established cutoff. Ticagrelor showed lower levels of platelet function and a more uniform response compared to prasugrel and clopidogrel.