Test for Aspirin Effectiveness

The VerifyNow aspirin test is a rapid blood test that helps to identify patients taking aspirin who are not receiving the full benefits of its protective effects against heart attack and stroke. The test has been granted a waiver by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) eliminating the requirement that the test be performed only in moderately complex laboratories.

The VerifyNow test, developed by Accumetrics (San Diego, CA, USA), is the first platelet function assay to receive this waiver. The test provides a rapid result with one simple number indicating if a patient is responding to aspirin and adequately protected, or is unresponsive to aspirin and thus at increased risk for cardiovascular risks. If a patient is found to be nonresponsive, the dosage may need to be increased, the use of other drugs that can interfere with aspirin's effect may need to be modified, or the use of another type of antiplatelet agent may be indicated. There is growing evidence that up to 30% of patients taking a daily aspirin for its protective effects do not fully respond to aspirin.

"With this one simple test, patients can leave the doctor's office with the peace of mind of knowing that aspirin is working for them,” said Mar Ladenheim, M.D., a cardiologist at Providence Saint Joseph Hospital (Los Angeles, CA, USA). "Or if they're among those who aren't responding, this gives them the opportunity to work with their physician to modify treatment before it's too late.”




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