Journal of Hematology & Thromboembolic Diseases
Open Access

Abstract

The Cardiac Related Thrombocytopenia

Umit Yasar Sinan

Thrombocytopenia is a common problem in cardiovascular patients. The aetiology and management may be different than those in other populations. The drugs that are used during percutaneous coronary interventions most commonly associated with thrombocytopenia are the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors and heparin. Thienopyridines rarely cause thrombocytopenia. The platelet count falls, primarily due to platelet damage and destruction in the bypass circuit and hemodilution after open-heart surgery. Heparin is the most common drug to be implicated in thrombocytopenia in intensive care unit patients. Determining the etiology for the low platelet count is important for the implementation of appropriate management. Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia is a potentially devastating immune mediated adverse drug reaction caused by the emergence of antibodies that activate platelets in the presence of heparin. Despite thrombocytopenia, bleeding is rare; rather, HIT is strongly associated with thromboembolic complications involving both the arterial and venous systems.