Eptifibatide-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis

Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors have been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). With their widespread use, there is a growing body of literature describing adverse outcomes, including severe thrombocytopenia. Here we report a case of a 75-year-old man who presented with an ST-elevation myocardial infarction, underwent primary PCI and stenting, and subsequently developed profound thrombocytopenia and thrombosis after eptifibatide administration. This report adds to the literature regarding eptifibatide-induced thrombocytopenia and also raises the possibility of a new syndrome of eptifibatide-induced thrombosis. A case is made to examine available databases for thrombosis after administration of eptifibatide and other GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors.