Delayed-onset eptifibatide-induced thrombocytopenia

PURPOSE: We present a unique case of delayed-onset, profound eptifibatide-induced thrombocytopenia that occurred 5 days after initiation of the drug. SUMMARY: Eptifibatide is a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor with indications for use in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Eptifibatide-induced thrombocytopenia is uncommon but well studied and typically occurs within 24 hours of initiation of the drug. In the case described here, a 62-year-old male with a past history of coronary artery disease (including percutaneous coronary intervention within the past 12 months) was started on eptifibatide at a dosage of 2 µg/kg per minute for management of significant thrombus burden prior to a planned cardiac revascularization procedure; heparin for anticoagulation was also initiated. About 5 days after initiation of eptifibatide, the patient developed severe thrombocytopenia, with the platelet count dropping precipitously from 249 × 103/µL on admission to less than 1 × 103/µL. After eptifibatide and heparin therapy were discontinued and the patient was switched to argatroban, the platelet count recovered to 38 × 103/µL over the next 2 days. An eptifibatide platelet antibody assay was positive for IgG-mediated reactions consistent with eptifibatide-induced thrombocytopenia. Scoring of this case with the Naranjo scale yielded a score of 4, suggesting a possible adverse reaction to eptifibatide. CONCLUSION: This is the first published case report of profound eptifibatide-induced thrombocytopenia occurring more than 24 hours after eptifibatide initiation and serves to bring awareness that a delayed reaction can occur.

Resumen tomado de PubMed (NCBI) para el registro citado, en el idioma original. La versión de referencia es la de la publicación original.

El resumen se deja sin traducir para conservar la redacción original de los autores.

This case report describes a 62-year-old man who developed profound IgG-mediated thrombocytopenia five days after starting eptifibatide, with platelet recovery after discontinuation and a switch to argatroban.

Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica

Más estudios revisados por pares en la categoría «Ensayos clínicos».

• Leech Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis — The Landmark RCT — Michalsen et al. (2003)
• Leech-Assisted Flap Salvage — Systematic Review of 277 Cases — Whitaker et al. (2012)
• Effects of hirudotherapy on liver functions, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in rats with metabolic syndrome — Bilden A et al. (2026)
• Efficacy and Safety of Hirudotherapy for Improving Sperm Quality Parameters in Male Infertility: A Randomized Controlled Trial — Abtahi-Forooshani M et al. (2026)
• Reverse Sural Flap Venous Congestion Successfully Managed With Enoxaparin in a Male Patient With a Traumatic Foot Crush Injury: A Case Report — Velasco-Bustamante J et al. (2026)
• Investigación de los efectos terapéuticos del tratamiento con sanguijuelas medicinales sobre la lesión por isquemia-reperfusión de la extremidad inferior — Ünal K et al. (2026)
• Efficacy of Medicinal Leech Therapy in Diverse Clinical Applications: A Comprehensive Study from Azerbaijan — Farzali S et al. (2025)
• HIRUDOTHERAPY IN RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY: CASE-REPORTS AND REVIEW — Heinz P et al. (2020)
• Hirudoterapia en la cicatrización de heridas — Nair H et al. (2022)
• Improvement of patient care through hirudotherapy and the management of leeches from their reception to their disposal in France — Vaesken C et al. (2023)

Ver toda la investigación analizada por la ASH →