"East asian paradox": challenge for the current antiplatelet strategy of "one-guideline-fits-all races" in acute coronary syndrome

Curr Cardiol Rep. 2014 May;16(5):485. doi: 10.1007/s11886-014-0485-4.

Abstract

Clinical experiences have suggested that East Asians show the higher risk of warfarin-related intracranial hemorrhage compared with Westerners. Therefore, different target of the International Normalized Ratio (INR) in East Asians (1.6-2.6) has been proposed and adapted in clinical practice. In terms with antiplatelet therapy, recent evidence has supported the concept of "therapeutic level of platelet reactivity" to balance clinical efficacy and safety in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or those with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In line with the warfarin experiences, multiple clinical and pharmacodynamic data from East Asians have shown their different therapeutic level of platelet reactivity following PCI or ACS ("East Asian Paradox"). Furthermore, like most cardiovascular drugs, P2Y12 receptor blockers have marked interethnic differences in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The currently performed clinical trials evaluating the clinical efficacy and safety of potent P2Y12 inhibitors mostly don't include enough number of East Asians to draw reliable conclusions. Therefore, dedicated research and guideline(s) for East Asians are required before we can apply Western recommendations for potent P2Y12 inhibitors in East Asian population. It is a time to consider the paradigm shift from "one-guideline-fits-all races" to "race-tailored antiplatelet therapy" in treating ACS patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / ethnology*
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / therapy
  • Asia, Eastern
  • Asian People* / ethnology
  • Blood Platelets
  • Clopidogrel
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Female
  • Guideline Adherence*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention* / methods
  • Platelet Aggregation / drug effects
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2Y12 / metabolism*
  • Ticlopidine / administration & dosage
  • Ticlopidine / adverse effects
  • Ticlopidine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Warfarin / administration & dosage*
  • Warfarin / adverse effects

Substances

  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2Y12
  • Warfarin
  • Clopidogrel
  • Ticlopidine