Point-of-Care Platelet Function Testing Predicts Bleeding in Patients Exposed to Clopidogrel Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Verify Pre-Op TIMI 45—A Pilot Study

Dr. Reed et al from the Cleveland Clinic conducted this prospective study to assess whether VerifyNow point-of-care platelet testing could predict bleeding in 39 patients receiving Plavix and undergoing CABG.  Patients in higher PRU quartiles experienced smaller decreases in hematocrit and less bleeding.  By ROC analysis, a PRU threshold of ≤207 was the optimal threshold for discrimination of major bleeding during surgery, with 85% sensitivity and an 89% NPV.
Question:  Should VerifyNow platelet testing be used as a discriminator for timing of CABG rather than waiting the guideline-recommended 5 days for patients who have received Plavix?