Platelet Function Testing in Diabetes; Dominick Angiolillo; ADA 2011.

Patients with diabetes are known to have exaggerated platelet reactive function putting them into a higher atherothrombotic risk sub-group.

However it is not known whether there are cohorts of people with diabetes who are at particular risk due to especially exaggerated platelet reactivity. For instance those with kidney disease have higher rates of platelet reactivity and increased atherothrombotic risk. There are also some genetic analysis studies, which suggest that there are subgroups of people with diabetes with specific platelet pathway abnormalities.

This leads to the likelihood that targeting these diabetes specific platelet pathway abnormality may yield benefit.

Platelets have increased reactivity and reduced responsiveness to antiplatelet agents.

Increased reactivity and reduced antithrombotic responsiveness are associated with increased atherothrombotic risk in diabetes

Abnormalities intrinsic to diabetic platelets warrant specific tailored drug regimens

More effective agents would enable more efficient blockade of diabetic platelets