title: [Thrombocytopenia caused by digitoxin overdose].
abstract: The authors report a new case of digitoxin-related thrombocytopenia. It involved a patient hospitalised for torsades de pointe in whom blood digitoxin was 85 micromols/l on admission. This rare complication progressed to a satisfactory conclusion in seven days. The mechanism is immuno-allergic and/or toxic since thrombocytopenia occurs only following therapeutic overdose. The prognosis is determined by the cardiac arrhythmia rather than the hemostasis abnormality. Treatment is symptomatic and should include the withdrawal of digitoxin which can be replaced by digoxin. Oral activated charcoal decreases the plasma half-life by blocking the enterohepatic cycle and is hence recommended in this situation.
authors.affiliation: Service de cardiologie, CHRU, Angers.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gouëllo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Victor
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tadéi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004074:Digitoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000506:poisoning; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D004074:Digitoxin
vernacular_title: Thrombopénie induite par un surdosage en digitoxine.