CHICAGO—While the GRAVITAS findings, presented today at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions, do not support adopting a treatment strategy of 150 mg of clopidogrel in post-PCI patients with high residual reactivity, some have speculated its approach of assessing patients via platelet reactivity testing may gain increased traction in U.S. clinical practice. However, former AHA President Raymond J. Gibbons, MD, told Cardiovascular Business News that he does not agree with that assessment.

Gibbons, from the cardiovascular medicine department at Mayo Clinic, said, “The impetus to change clinical practice will not be driven by negative treatment trials, but instead by clear treatment alternatives, which are proven to be effective. Currently, the problem is that there is no standardized platelet reactivity tests that are widely available and accepted.”

He doesn’t project an increase in market penetration until there is greater standardization with the testing. “Until we have a very clear standard, along with laboratory standardization, for how the process should be implemented, we will not see an increase in platelet reactivity testing,” Gibbons said.

“We’re not at a point to see a widespread acceptance of this testing in part because even when the patients are demonstrated to be at high risk, like in GRAVITAS, clinicians don’t have a clear-cut treatment option,” he continued.  “Why conduct a test that will not change the patient’s treatment course?”