Cardiothoracic & vascular anesthesia
Platelet function in patients undergoing major non‐cardiac vascular surgery ( PLUGS ): a prospective cohort study*
Authors' conclusion
High rates of clopidogrel resistance and elevated von Willebrand factor were observed in patients with planned vascular surgery, suggesting that current peri-operative discontinuation guidelines may not restore normal platelet function.
Study context
- Population
- Adults scheduled for elective major non-cardiac vascular surgery64 proceeded to surgery
- Participants
- 80 adults
- Exposure
- Aspirin, clopidogrel or dual antiplatelet therapy vs no antiplatelet therapy (control)
- Outcome
- Proportion of patients with antiplatelet resistance (thromboelastography)
Methodological detailssingle-centre, observational, tertiary vascular surgery centre
- Single-centre
- Observational
- Tertiary vascular surgery centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Antiplatelet resistance
Clopidogrel
70%
- Antiplatelet resistance at baseline, depending on regimen
- 25-70%
- Antiplatelet resistance on the day of surgery, depending on regimen
- 15-83%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Von Willebrand factor levels
- Above normal range in two-thirds of patients
Platelet inhibition after clopidogrel cessation 5-7 days pre-operatively
- No statistically significant change
- Exploratory analysis
Safety
- Patients with early graft or stent thrombosis, both with clopidogrel resistance and elevated von Willebrand factor
- 2
Original publication
Platelet function in patients undergoing major non‐cardiac vascular surgery ( PLUGS ): a prospective cohort study*. Anaesthesia. Published 13 May 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →