title: Abciximab-induced alveolar hemorrhage after percutaneous coronary intervention.
abstract: Abciximab, a platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor, has been shown to improve clinical outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. However, there is a well-documented increase in bleeding risk associated with the use of this agent. Spontaneous pulmonary hemorrhage is a particularly rare and easily misdiagnosed complication that requires early diagnosis to ensure patient survival. A 61-year-old man presented to the emergency department with chest pain and inferolateral ST elevation on electrocardiogram. A paclitaxel drug-eluting stent was then placed in the left circumflex artery, without complications. Abciximab (a bolus of 0.25 mg/kg followed by an infusion of 10 mg/min for 12 h) was given. Approximately 20 min later, the patient developed dyspnea and hemoptysis. A chest radiograph revealed new bilateral diffuse interstitial infiltrates, and the patient was started on empirical antibiotics for pneumonia. Because of increasing dyspnea and somnolence, the patient was intubated and bronchoscopy was performed, revealing serial hemorrhagic returns from the left lower lobe, diagnostic of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and judged to be secondary to abciximab, given the time course. All antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents were stopped. The patient stabilized over the next several days, with some recurrent hemoptysis, and was successfully extubated seven days later. Prognosis remains poor in GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, and early diagnosis is critical so that antithrombotic and antiplatelet agents may be discontinued in a timely manner. A high degree of suspicion is required when treating a patient who presents with dyspnea and new radiological infiltrates after receiving a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas 78236, USA. conleymaria@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Conley
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Patino
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Romick
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Almaleh
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Allan
mesh_terms: D000077284:Abciximab; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000925:Anticoagulants; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D000077284:Abciximab