WHERE HAVE THE PLATELETS GONE? TIROFIBAN INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA

Abstract

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GP IIb/IIIa) prevent platelet aggregation by
blocking fibrinogen binding to GP IIb/IIIa receptors on platelets. GP IIb/IIIa
inhibitors have shown to improve clinical outcomes. They are widely used in
patients with acute coronary syndrome and following percutaneous intervention
(PCI). Thrombocytopenia associated with this class of agents is a well-known
complication. Drug dependent antibodies are the cause of thrombocytopenia in
this condition. However, severe thrombocytopenia is rare.
Here we report a case of acute severe thrombocytopenia following treatment with
tirofiban, a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor in a patient who underwent PCI for ST-elevation
myocardial infarction (STEMI).