Correlation Between the VerifyNow P2Y 12 Assay and the Newly Developed APAL System in Neuroendovascular Patients.

Objective: Light transmission aggregometry (LTA) is the gold standard method for assessing platelet function. Recently, a new parameter called adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation level (APAL) was developed to aid interpretation of LTA results. APAL is a score calculated based on platelet aggregation patterns upon exposure to 1 μM and 10 μM ADP and is determined using an automated coagulation analyzer. We compared APAL and VerifyNow P2Y ₁₂ assay for neuroendovascular patients.
Methods: 42 patients who have received antiplatelet therapy were studied. Platelet function tests were performed on CS-2400 for APAL and VerifyNow P2Y ₁₂ assay was used for P2Y ₁₂ reaction unit (PRU) and % inhibition.
Results: Moderate correlations were observed between APAL and PRU (r=0.64, p <0.001) and between APAL and % inhibition (r=-0.74, p <0.001). The optimal threshold for APAL was 8.2 for PRU (threshold=240) and 8.1 for % inhibition (threshold=26%). The percentage of agreement between the above thresholds was 90.9% between PRU and APAL and 77.3% between % inhibition and APAL.
Conclusions: The APAL system exhibits moderate correlation with PRU and % inhibition. APAL testing is a good choice for a clinical laboratory already in possession of Sysmex CS series analyzers. In this setting, APAL testing can significantly decrease the cost of platelet function testing for patients on antiplatelet therapy.
(© 2020 by the Association of Clinical Scientists, Inc.)