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Published on: October 3, 2018
Myelodysplastic syndrome associated with clopidogrel: a case report
1Department of Cardiology, the Second Hospital Affiliated to the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Insights
Clopidogrel, a platelet aggregation inhibitor, may rarely cause myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). This case highlights the need for clinicians to consider clopidogrel as a potential cause of MDS in patients.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Clopidogrel is a widely used antiplatelet medication, often prescribed as a safer alternative to ticlopidine.
- It functions by inhibiting platelet aggregation, crucial in preventing thrombotic events.
Observation:
- A patient developed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) after one year of clopidogrel therapy.
- No other causative factors for MDS were identified in this patient.
Findings:
- The case suggests a potential link between clopidogrel use and the development of myelodysplastic syndrome.
- This adverse event, though rare, was observed in a patient receiving long-term clopidogrel treatment.
Implications:
- Clinicians should maintain awareness of the potential for clopidogrel-induced MDS.
- Further vigilance is recommended when prescribing clopidogrel, especially for extended durations.
Abstract:
More than 3 million patients around the world have received clopidogrel, an inhibitor of platelet aggregation, which has largely replaced ticlopidine in clinical practice as it was believed to be devoid of the side effects caused by ticlopidine. We herein report the case of a woman who developed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) after 1 year of treatment with clopidogrel. The absence of other plausible causes suggests that her MDS was induced by clopidogrel. Although this is a very rare case, clinicians should be alert to the possibility of MDS associated with clopidogrel use.
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