Adrenaline enhances in vitro platelet activation and aggregation in blood samples from ticagrelor‐treated patients

BACKGROUND: -receptors on platelets and potentially enhance platelet reactivity. OBJECTIVE: To assess if adrenaline can improve adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation and activation in blood samples from patients on dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and the ADP-receptor antagonist ticagrelor. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from a total of forty acute coronary syndrome patients on dual antiplatelet therapy with ASA and ticagrelor. ADP-induced platelet aggregation (by impedance aggregometry) and activation (by flow cytometry) were assessed before and after supplementation with adrenaline and/or platelet concentrate. RESULTS: ) increased median ADP-induced aggregation from 15 (25-75th percentiles: 10-20) to 26 (18-38) aggregation units. The effect was independent of concomitant platelet supplementation. Adrenaline also increased ADP-induced platelet activation: from 40% (36-54%) to 83% (74-88%) platelets with active fibrinogen receptor (binding PAC-1) and from 13% (7-21%) to 35% (18-50%) P-selectin-expressing platelets. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenaline potentiated ADP-induced platelet aggregation and activation in blood samples from ticagrelor-treated patients. Adrenaline infusion may be a new method to enhance platelet function in ticagrelor-treated patients who are in need of acute surgery or have ongoing bleeding. In vivo studies are needed to confirm the present results.