Coronary stent occlusion after platelet transfusion: a case series

J Invasive Cardiol. 2007 Oct;19(10):E297-9.

Abstract

Early stent occlusion after myocardial infarction is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and antiplatelet drugs are applied to prevent these complications. We report on 3 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding or who were scheduled for emergency surgery and who received donor platelet transfusion early in the course after stenting. These patients had symptomatic coronary artery stenoses and were treated with antiplatelet therapy. Stent occlusion was diagnosed 6 to 17 hours after donor platelet transfusion, suggested by electrocardiographic and, in 1 patient, angiographic findings. One patient died of intractable bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. Our observations emphasize the risks involved in platelet transfusion, and support withholding such therapy, unless vitally indicated, in patients who have undergone recent bare-metal coronary artery stent implantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnostic imaging
  • Myocardial Infarction / therapy*
  • Myocardial Ischemia / complications
  • Myocardial Ischemia / diagnostic imaging
  • Myocardial Ischemia / therapy
  • Platelet Transfusion / adverse effects*
  • Stents / adverse effects*
  • Thrombocytopenia / complications
  • Thrombocytopenia / therapy*