Platelet Reactivity After Cessation of Clopid in the Setting of Coronary Stent Implantation I: PRACTICE I (PRACTICE I)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients, male or female, > 18 years of age,
• Patients who are scheduled for an elective PCI with a drug eluting stent
• Patients willing to return for all required follow up visits.
• Patients live/work within a 60 mile radius of the Washington Hospital Center.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient has experienced an acute myocardial infarction within the preceding 48 hours of the subsequent angioplasty.
• Unprotected left main coronary disease with >50% stenosis;
• Patients with renal failure requiring dialysis;
• Patients with a documented ejection fraction < 30 percent at the time of subsequent PCI;
• Patient with a life expectancy less than 12 months or malignancy.
• Known allergies to aspirin or clopidogrel bisulfate (PlavixR) and that cannot be medically managed;
• Planned surgery or other indication for requiring the cessation of clopidogrel within 12 months of PCI;
• Any significant medical condition which in the investigator's opinion may interfere with the patient's optimal participation in the study.
• Patients with known history of bleeding diathesis;
• Prothrombin time >1.5 times control; coumadin therapy
• Platelet count <100 000/mm3;
• Hematocrit <25%;
• Creatinine >4.0 mg/dL;
• Thienopyridine use within 5 days of enrollment
• Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa use within 8 hours of enrollment or any indication were the operator will require GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor use during the hospitalization.