Management of immune thrombocytic purpura and acute coronary syndrome: A double-edged sword!

Treating patients known to have immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) pose challenges, especially if they undergo percutaneous coronary intervention and stenting, as they require certain period of dual anti-platelet medication based up on the type of stent been deployed. Co-existence of therapies to increase platelet number as well as anti-platelet efficacy at the same time appears contradictory; imbalance in antagonistic treatment approach of increasing platelet number to treat ITP and inhibiting their activity to treat ACS can result in life threatening complications.