Method and apparatus for monitoring anti-platelet agents

An apparatus for measuring the efficacy of an anti-platelet therapy comprising:

• a blood coagulation analyzer operable to measure a first blood sample in the absence of the anti-platelet therapy and a second blood sample in the presence of the anti-platelet therapy to respectively generate a first blood coagulation parameter and a second blood coagulation parameter, wherein the first blood coagulation parameter and the second blood coagulation parameter are related to blood clot strength;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to the blood coagulation analyzer, the processor having an associated control program for directing the operation of the processor for determining an efficacy of the anti-platelet therapy based upon the first blood coagulation parameter and the second blood coagulation parameter, wherein at least one of the first blood coagulation parameter and the second blood coagulation parameter is based upon a characteristic of an as sampled portion of the respective blood sample and a characteristic of a portion of the respective blood sample treated in vitro to inhibit thrombin activation and to preserve fibrinogen and platelet activation.