Acute profound thrombocytopenia after treatment with tirofiban and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

The glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GP IIb/IIIa) receptor antagonists prevent platelet aggregation and thrombus formation, improving outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome. Therapy with these agents may lead to bleeding complications and thrombocytopenia, challenging the perioperative management of patients undergoing coronary surgery. We report the successful management of an acute profound thrombocytopenia after urgent off-pump coronary surgery in a patient treated with tirofiban for unstable angina and acute coronary syndrome.