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Severe thrombocytopenia and alveolar hemorrhage represent two types of bleeding tendency during tirofiban treatment: case report and literature review

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Abstract

Tirofiban is a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist used in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Thrombocytopenia is a well-known complication of GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors. Life-threatening complications such as alveolar and gastrointestinal system hemorrhages may occur in the course of thrombocytopenia. Platelet count should be monitored closely, including during the first few hours of the infusion. Adverse events may be prevented by prompt discontinuation of the therapy. Herein we present two cases of profound and sudden thrombocytopenia associated with tirofiban use in the treatment of ACS together with a review of the literature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Fatih, 34390, Istanbul, Turkey

    Omer Celal Elcioglu, Abdullah Ozkok, Timur Selcuk Akpınar, Fatih Tufan, Murat Sezer, Sabahattin Umman & Sevgi Kalayoglu Besısık

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  1. Omer Celal Elcioglu
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  2. Abdullah Ozkok
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  3. Timur Selcuk Akpınar
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  4. Fatih Tufan
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Correspondence to Omer Celal Elcioglu.

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Elcioglu, O.C., Ozkok, A., Akpınar, T.S. et al. Severe thrombocytopenia and alveolar hemorrhage represent two types of bleeding tendency during tirofiban treatment: case report and literature review. Int J Hematol 96, 370–375 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-012-1133-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-012-1133-7

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