Primary thrombophilia in México X: a prospective study of the treatment of the sticky platelet syndrome.

INTRODUCTION

The sticky platelet syndrome (SPS) is a common cause of thrombosis. There are no prospective studies concerning treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze changes in platelet hyperaggregability of patients with SPS who were given antiplatelet drugs and to assess its association with rethrombosis.

METHODS

A total of 55 patients with a history of thrombosis and SPS phenotype were prospectively studied before and after treatment with aspirin and/or clopidogrel.

RESULTS

Patients were followed for 1 to 129 months, median 13. Of 55 patients, 40 received aspirin, 13 received aspirin + clopidogrel, and 2 received only clopidogrel. The platelet aggregation response to adenosine diphosphate and epinephrine significantly diminished after treatment, and only 2 patients developed rethrombosis 52 and 129 months after starting therapy, with the freedom from rethrombosis rate of the patients being 96.4% at 129 months.

CONCLUSION

Using antiplatelet drugs, the platelet hyperreactivity of patients with the SPS phenotype was reverted; and this translated into a substantial decrease in the rethrombosis rate.