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Diltiazem‐Associated Thrombocytopenia
Author(s) -
Michalets Elizabeth Landrum,
Jackson Don V.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1002/j.1875-9114.1997.tb03105.x
Subject(s) - diltiazem , medicine , platelet , atrial fibrillation , cardiology , bone marrow , gastroenterology , surgery , calcium
Nine days after starting diltiazem therapy for new‐onset atrial fibrillation, a patient's platelet count had diminished to 61 × 10 3 /mm 3 , and 2 weeks later the nadir was reached at 23 × 10 3 /mm 3 . No hypersensitivity reaction otherwise was noted, and other hematologic values were unaffected. The patient's platelet counts were not affected by platelet transfusions. Bone marrow examination showed normal to increased numbers of megakaryocytes, suggesting peripheral destruction. After discontinuing diltiazem and administering high‐dose immunoglobulin infusions, the platelet count returned to normal. This case suggests an immune‐mediated cause for thrombocytopenia after exposure to diltiazem.