CASE REPORT

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/haemolytic uraemic syndrome associated with clopidogrel: report of two new cases

F Andersohn¹, F G Hagmann², E Garbe¹

¹ Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Charité-University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
² Department of Internal Medicine I, Westpfalz-Klinikum, Kaiserslautern, Germany

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr med F Andersohn
Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, Schumannstrasse 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany; frank.andersohn{at}charite.de

Clopidogrel has been reported to be safe and effective in reducing vascular events. Nevertheless, there is growing evidence that clopidogrel may cause thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/haemolytic uraemic syndrome (TTP/HUS). This association has been debated, since in several cases alternative causes could not be excluded. Two new cases of TTP/HUS associated with clopidogrel are reported here. After discontinuation of clopidogrel and treatment with plasma exchange, both patients had a complete and sustained recovery from TTP/HUS. These cases corroborate previous observations that clopidogrel may indeed be a rare cause of TTP/HUS.

Abbreviations: CAPRIE, clopidogrel versus aspirin in patients at risk of ischaemic events; HUS, haemolytic uraemic syndrome; TTP, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Keywords: platelet aggregation inhibitors; clopidogrel; thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; haemolytic uraemic syndrome; adverse effects

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Relevant Article

Heart Online case reports: www.heartjnl.com
Heart 2004 90: 1024. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]