Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether half-dose loading (30 mg) of prasugrel is sufficient to achieve adequate platelet inhibition, and whether such a loading dose of prasugrel together with aspirin followed by a 10 mg/day prasugrel maintenance, could serve as a first-line antiplatelet strategy for patients undergoing flow-diverting stent (FDS) implantation.
Methods: Data from a group of consecutive patients treated for intracranial aneurysm with FDS were retrospectively collected. Platelet P2Y12 receptor responsiveness was assessed by a rapid platelet function test just prior to the procedure. All ischemic and hemorrhagic complications as well as morbidity and mortality rates were documented.
Results: A total of 138 patients with 153 aneurysms (32 were symptomatic and 121 were incidental) underwent FDS treatment in a total of 147 loading sessions. Adequate platelet inhibition was obtained in 136/138 (98.5%) patients and 145/147 (98.6%) loading sessions. Overall, there was one case of (hemorrhagic) mortality (0.7%), one of (ischemic) morbidity (0.7%), one of symptomatic (hemorrhagic) clinical complications without permanent deficits (0.7%), and six transient ischemic attacks (4.1%). The 6‑month control angiography, available for all patients, revealed a 95.4% aneurysm occlusion rate.
Conclusion: Half-dose (30 mg) prasugrel loading results in effective platelet P2Y12 receptor inhibition in more than 98% of patients. Dual antiaggregant loading with half dose prasugrel followed by prasugrel maintenance as a first-line therapy appears to be feasible in patients treated with FDS implantation for intracranial aneurysm.
Keywords: Aneurysm; Antiplatelet agents; Flow diversion; Loading dose; Platelet function test.