Background: The degree to which cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 genotype influences the effectiveness of clopidogrel remains uncertain because of considerable heterogeneity in results between studies and potential publication bias. Clopidogrel indication and ethnic population have been proposed to influence the effect of CYP2C19 genotype.
Methods and results: A systematic review was undertaken up to 14 November 2013. Meta-analysis of the CYP2C19 genotype effect was stratified by the predominant clopidogrel indication (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] versus non-PCI) and ethnic population (white versus Asian) of each primary study. The primary analysis was restricted to studies with ≥500 participants, which comprised 24 studies and a total of 36 076 participants. The association between carriage of ≥1 CYP2C19 loss-of-function (LoF) allele and major cardiovascular outcomes differed significantly (P<0.001) between studies of whites not undergoing PCI (relative risk 0.99 [95% confidence interval, 0.84-1.17]; n=7043), whites undergoing PCI (1.20 [1.10-1.31]; n=19,016), and Asians undergoing PCI (1.91 [1.61-2.27]; n=10,017). Similar differences were identified in secondary analyses of 2 CYP2C19 LoF alleles, stent thrombosis outcomes, and studies with ≥200 participants. Minimal heterogeneity was apparent between studies of Asian populations.
Conclusions: The reported association between CYP2C19 LoF allele carriage and major cardiovascular outcomes differs based on the ethnic population of the study and, to a lesser extent, the clopidogrel indication. This is potentially of major importance given that over 50% of Asians carry ≥1 CYP2C19 LoF alleles.
Keywords: CYP2C19; antiplatelet drug; meta-analysis; pharmacogenetics.
© 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.