Severe Thrombocytopenia after PCI: Think GP IIb/IIIa Receptor Antagonist Induced rather than Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia

Abstract

Acute thrombocytopenia in Acute Coronary Syndrome patients may pose a diagnostic challenge due to multifactorial etiologies. It is a recognized, but rare complication of treatment with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists, which are commonly used in the management of Acute Coronary Syndrome. Diagnosis is made after ruling out other common causes, one of them being Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Management includes discontinuation of GPRA & in severe cases might require steroids. We present a case of a 38-year-old gentleman with acute inferior wall MI, who developed glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists-induced acute symptomatic thrombocytopenia.