Abciximab-induced thrombocytopenia: management of bleeding in the setting of recent coronary stents.

This case report and subsequent literature review describes the management difficulties in a patient who developed abciximab-induced thrombocytopenia and gastrointestinal bleeding. Abciximab was used to treat the no-reflow phenomenon, which occurred during insertion of three sequential Taxus coronary artery stents. Resuscitation of this bleeding patient with fluids, blood, and platelet transfusion, and the cessation of antiplatelet agents, was complicated by acute stent thrombosis. We discuss the risk factors for stent thrombosis and discuss abciximab-induced thrombocytopenia, looking at its incidence, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, investigation, course, management, preventative strategies, and prognostic implications.