Tirofiban-induced thrombocytopenia in 5 cases

Objective To study the diagnosis and treatment of tirofiban-induced thrombocytopenia. Methods Clinical data about 5 patients with tirofiban-induced thrombocytopenia admitted to Institute of Geriatric Cardiology in Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2012 to October 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Results The number of platelets was normal in the 5 patients at admission. Severe and mild thrombocytopenia occurred in 4 and 1 patients, respectively, after 1-14 h tirofiban treatment. The minimal number of platelets was 6×10⁹/L. The number of platelets returned to normal 12-120 h after discomtinvation of tirofiban treatment. No fatal intracranial and gastrointestinal bleeding occurred. Conclusion Routine laboratory test of platelets can detect tirofibaninduced thrombocytopenia at 2, 6 and 24 h drug treatment. Drugs should be withdrawn immediately when thrombocytopenia occurs in order to avoid adverse events.