Delayed profound thrombocytopenia after abciximab administration for coronary stenting in acute coronary syndrome. Case reports and review of the literature.

Profound thrombocytopenia occurring 1 week after drug administration is a seldom described, self-limiting and mostly uneventful immune reaction to abciximab. Quick differential diagnosis is essential, since other forms of thrombocytopenia associated with concomitant antithrombotic therapies may be much more severe and require prompt treatment. Awareness of this reaction may avoid unnecessary and risky discontinuation of other antiplatelet therapies in the critical phase after coronary stenting.