title: Vanishing platelets: rapid and extreme tirofiban-induced thrombocytopenia after percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction.
abstract: Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors are established treatment for patients who develop acute coronary syndromes. Thrombocytopenia is known to occur following the administration of various drugs, including heparin and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. In the case of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, the mechanism is thought to be drug-dependent antibodies. In most cases, the thrombocytopenia is mild or moderate in severity. Severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count, <50 x 10(9)/L) is distinctly rare. Herein, we report a case of tirofiban-induced thrombocytopenia in which the overall platelet count dropped precipitously to <1 x 10(9)/L within 12 hours of administration; recovery was relatively prolonged, possibly owing to concomitant renal insufficiency. The severity and the rapidity of onset emphasize the need to routinely check platelet counts early after tirofiban administration, in order to prevent sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi 74800, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Nasir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Fahim H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Jafary
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010976:Platelet Count; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D000077466:Tirofiban; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D014443:Tyrosine; D000077466:Tirofiban