Assessment of platelet inhibition by point-of-care testing in neuroendovascular procedures.

Antiplatelet agents are an important component of the preventive strategies currently used in clinical practice to minimize the risk of thromboembolic events during and after endovascular procedures. Because of the variability in the response to antiplatelet agents, measuring the degree of platelet inhibition may help identify and properly treat poor responders. POC testing is defined as diagnostic testing at or near the site of patient care. Knowledge of the specifics of these devices among practicing neurointerventionalists is relatively limited. In this article, the different POC devices available are presented, and their clinical utility in relation to endovascular procedures is discussed.