Acute profound thrombocytopenia following angioplasty: the dilemma in the management and a review of the literature

Abciximab, heparin, and clopidogrel are often used together in the setting of coronary syndromes. These drugs are associated with thrombocytopenia and it is important to quickly discriminate the cause of this complication as it has implications for the management of thrombocytopenia and the coronary syndrome. This case highlights some of the dilemmas that may arise as no test can definitively identify the offending drug, and stopping these drugs can affect the outcome of the coronary event including stent thrombosis.


Keywords: profound thrombocytopenia; abciximab; heparin; clopidogrel