Cardiovascular Pharmacology: Open Access

Abstract

Profound Thrombocytopenia after Treatment with Tirofiban; On-Pump Surgery for Acute Aortic Dissection and Coronary Bypass Surgery

Beckers Stefan, Remory Isabel, Van Der Meeren Sam, Bougie Daniel, Demanet C, Jochmans K and Poelaert Jan

We describe the case of a 69-year-old man who developed glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor (GPIIb/IIIa) antagonist associated thrombocytopenia and the successful management during urgent aortic dissection and coronary artery bypass grafting. A flow cytometric assay was developed to confirm the diagnosis of GPIIb/IIIa-antagonist induced thrombocytopenia. This case was further complicated by the concomitant presence of heparin/PF4 platelet antibodies but was proven not to be the causal factor of the thrombocytopenia.