Prolonged profound abciximab associated immune thrombocytopenia complicated by transient multispecific platelet antibodies
- Correspondence to:
Mr John A G Lown
Transfusion Medicine Unit, Royal Perth Hospital, GPO Box X2213, Perth, WA 6847, Australia; john.lownhealth.wa.gov.au
- Accepted 28 April 2004
Abstract
Patients receiving abciximab occasionally develop transient severe thrombocytopenia within a few hours of receiving the drug. Thrombocytopenia has been reported to resolve within 10 days of abciximab administration, but in this case profound thrombocytopenia lasted 21 days before a slow spontaneous recovery. Management was complicated by the presence of HLA antibodies and the transient production of antibodies directed at major platelet glycoproteins IIb/IIIa, Ib/IX, and Ia/IIa. The patient remained refractory to platelet transfusion and two courses of intravenous gammaglobulin for the duration of her admission.
