Efficiency in clinical research: assessment in vitro of potential anti-thrombotic drug interactions

OBJECTIVETo determine whether testing in vitro of combinations of anti-thrombotic agents can identify potentially important interactions, we evaluated the combination of rNAPc2 with antagonists of platelet GP IIb-IIIa to identify potentially altered anticoagulant properties, antiplatelet effects, or both. METHODSBlood was obtained from healthy subjects who were taking aspirin (325 mg/day). Selected concentrations of rNAPc2, enoxaparin, and GP IIb-IIIa inhibitors were added in vitro. Platelet function was assessed with the use of flow cytometry. RESULTSNo effect on clotting or platelet inhibition was apparent when abciximab was added to the combination of aspirin, enoxaparin, and rNAPc2 at concentrations up to 250 ng/ml. A modest (less than 10%, P