Does tirofiban prevent platelet loss in patients after cardiogenic shock during continuous renal replacement therapy?
Link and colleagues present a pilot study investigating platelet function and platelet numbers in patients with cardiogenic shock and acute kidney failure undergoing continuous venovenous haemodialysis. Their data indicate a significantly reduced platelet loss with combined therapy of unfractionated heparin plus tirofiban, the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist, compared with unfractionated heparin therapy alone. Owing to the small sample size, however, the potential impact of additional treatment variables (antiplatelet agents, intraaortic counterpulsation) could not be clarified. A substantially larger, adequately powered study is therefore called for to establish the potential clinical relevance of these findings.
Storm
Christian
C
Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. christian.storm@charite.de
Jörres
Achim
A
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects*; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D010976:Platelet Count; D017582:Renal Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000077466:Tirofiban; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014443:Tyrosine; D000077466:Tirofiban