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Eptifibatide-induced thrombocytopenia
Marwan Refaat1, A J Conrad Smith, Daniel Edmundowicz
1Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Scaife Hall, Suite S553, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. refaatm@upmc.edu
Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis
|November 17, 2007
Summary
Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors are used in acute coronary syndromes. Eptifibatide, rarely causing thrombocytopenia, was linked to profound platelet reduction in a patient after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors are crucial in managing acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).
- Eptifibatide, a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor, is generally considered to have a low risk of causing thrombocytopenia, with few reported cases in medical literature.
Observation:
- A 34-year-old male presented with non ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).
- The patient underwent primary PCI with stenting, followed by stent thrombosis 5 days later.
- Repeat PCI was performed with readministration of eptifibatide.
Findings:
- Following repeat PCI and eptifibatide administration, the patient developed profound thrombocytopenia within 4 hours.
- This case highlights a rare instance of eptifibatide-associated thrombocytopenia.
Implications:
- Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for thrombocytopenia in patients treated with eptifibatide, even if rare.
- Regular platelet count monitoring is essential after eptifibatide therapy, particularly in patients with complex PCI procedures or recurrent ischemic events.
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