Eptifibatide-induced profound thrombocytopaenia: a rare complication. Issue 6 (14th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mahajan, Pranav; Ayub, Fatima; Azimi, Roxana; Adoni, Naveed
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 14:Issue 6(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06-14
• Subjects: interventional cardiology -- haematology (drugs and medicines) -- unwanted effects / adverse reactions; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-241594
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : Drug-induced immune thrombocytopaenia (DITP) is a type of thrombocytopaenia caused by medications. It is one of the common causes of unexplained thrombocytopaenia. It is caused by the formation of autoantibodies against a particular drug and is commonly observed with medications like heparin and beta-lactam antibiotics. One of the rare causes of DITP is eptifibatide, a widely used antiplatelet agent for pretreatment in cardiac catheterisation. These patients can be asymptomatic or develop complications like skin bruising, epistaxis and even intracranial haemorrhage. We present a case of a 64-year-old man who developed eptifibatide-induced profound thrombocytopaenia leading to extensive skin bruising. He was treated with platelet transfusions followed by prompt improvement in platelet count.