[Severe thrombocytopenia refractory to platelet transfusions, secondary to abciximab readministration, in a patient previously diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. A possible etiopathogenic link].

Acute severe thrombocytopenia is a serious although infrequent complication following abciximab infusion that is usually managed with platelet transfusions. We present a patient who underwent multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention with concomitant abciximab administration. Soon after the procedure the patient developed severe thrombocytopenia that persisted despite multiple platelet transfusions. This patient had been previously diagnosed as having idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, although this diagnosis was not recorded in our medical records, and at the time of the intervention the patient had a normal platelet count. He was successfully managed with IgG administration. The clinical and therapeutic implications of this case are discussed.