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Thrombocytopenia: Other Causes

By

David J. Kuter

, MD, DPhil, Harvard Medical School

Reviewed/Revised Jun 2022 | Modified Sep 2022
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Topic Resources

Platelet destruction can develop because of immunologic causes (viral infection, drugs, connective tissue or lymphoproliferative disorders, blood transfusions) or nonimmunologic causes (sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome). Manifestations are petechiae, purpura, and mucosal bleeding. Laboratory findings depend on the cause. The history may be the only suggestion of the diagnosis. Treatment is correction of the underlying disorder.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome

Blood transfusions

Posttransfusion purpura involves immunologic platelet destruction indistinguishable from immune thrombocytopenia Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a bleeding disorder usually without anemia or leukopenia. Typically, it is chronic in adults, but it is usually acute and self-limited in children. Spleen size... read more Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) (ITP), except for a history of a blood transfusion within the preceding 7 to 10 days. The patient, usually a woman, lacks a platelet antigen (PLA-1) present in most people. Transfusion with PLA-1–positive platelets stimulates formation of anti–PLA-1 antibodies, which (by an unknown mechanism) can react with the patient’s PLA-1–negative platelets. Severe thrombocytopenia results, taking 2 to 6 weeks to subside. Treatment with IV immune globulin (IVIG) is usually successful.

Connective tissue and lymphoproliferative disorders

Drug-induced immunologic platelet destruction

Commonly used drugs that occasionally induce thrombocytopenia include

  • Carbamazepine

  • Chlorpropamide

  • Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (eg, abciximab, eptifibatide, tirofiban)

  • Heparin

  • Hydrochlorothiazide

  • Quinine

  • Ranitidine

  • Rifampin

  • Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole

  • Vancomycin

Except for heparin, drug-induced thrombocytopenia occurs typically when a drug bound to the platelet or a carrier protein creates a new and “foreign” antigen, causing an immune reaction. This disorder is indistinguishable from ITP except for the history of drug ingestion. When the drug is stopped, the platelet count typically begins to increase within 1 to 2 days and recovers to normal within 7 days.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) occurs in up to 1% of patients receiving unfractionated heparin. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia may occur even when very-low-dose heparin (eg, used in flushes to keep IV or arterial lines open) is used. The mechanism is usually immunologic. Bleeding rarely occurs, but more commonly platelets clump excessively, causing vessel obstruction, leading to paradoxical arterial and venous thromboses, which may be life threatening (eg, thromboembolic occlusion of limb arteries, stroke Overview of Stroke Strokes are a heterogeneous group of disorders involving sudden, focal interruption of cerebral blood flow that causes neurologic deficit. Strokes can be Ischemic (80%), typically resulting... read more Overview of Stroke , acute myocardial infarction Acute Myocardial Infarction (MI) Acute myocardial infarction is myocardial necrosis resulting from acute obstruction of a coronary artery. Symptoms include chest discomfort with or without dyspnea, nausea, and/or diaphoresis... read more Acute Myocardial Infarction (MI) ).

Heparin should be stopped immediately in any patient who becomes thrombocytopenic and develops a new thrombosis or whose platelet count decreases by more than 50% pending results of tests done to detect antibodies to heparin bound to platelet factor 4. Anticoagulation with a nonheparin anticoagulant (eg, argatroban, bivalirudin, fondaparinux) should be substituted at least until platelet recovery.

Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is less immunogenic than unfractionated heparin but cannot be used to anticoagulate patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia because most HIT antibodies cross-react with LMWH. Fondaparinux is an acceptable alternative in many patients but given its long 17-hour half-life, is not appropriate in those patients who may soon need a procedure or have a high bleeding risk. Warfarin should not be substituted for heparin in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, and if long-term anticoagulation is required. Warfarin should be started only after the platelet count has recovered.

Infections

HIV infection Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection results from 1 of 2 similar retroviruses (HIV-1 and HIV-2) that destroy CD4+ lymphocytes and impair cell-mediated immunity, increasing risk of certain... read more Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection may cause immunologic thrombocytopenia indistinguishable from immune thrombocytopenia Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a bleeding disorder usually without anemia or leukopenia. Typically, it is chronic in adults, but it is usually acute and self-limited in children. Spleen size... read more Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) except for the association with HIV. The platelet count may increase when glucocorticoids are given. However, glucocorticoids are often withheld unless the platelet count falls to < 20,000/mcL (< 20 × 109/L) because these drugs may further depress immune function. The platelet count also usually increases after treatment with antiviral drugs.

Hepatitis C Hepatitis C, Acute Hepatitis C is caused by an RNA virus that is often parenterally transmitted. It sometimes causes typical symptoms of viral hepatitis, including anorexia, malaise, and jaundice but may be asymptomatic... read more infection is commonly associated with thrombocytopenia. Active infection can create a thrombocytopenia that is indistinguishable from immune thrombocytopenia with platelets < 10,000/mcL. Milder degrees of thrombocytopenia (platelet count 40,000 to 70,000/mcL [40 to 70 × 109/L]) may be due to liver damage that reduced production of thrombopoietin, the hematopoietic growth factor that regulates megakaryocyte growth and platelet production. Hepatitis C-induced thrombocytopenia responds to the same treatments as does immune thrombocytopenia Treatment Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a bleeding disorder usually without anemia or leukopenia. Typically, it is chronic in adults, but it is usually acute and self-limited in children. Spleen size... read more Treatment .

Pregnancy

Thrombocytopenia, typically asymptomatic, occurs late in gestation in about 5% of normal pregnancies (gestational thrombocytopenia); it is usually mild (platelet counts < 70,000/mcL [< 70 × 109/L] are rare), requires no treatment, and resolves after delivery. However, severe thrombocytopenia may develop in pregnant women with preeclampsia Preeclampsia and Eclampsia Preeclampsia is new-onset or worsening of existing hypertension with proteinuria after 20 weeks gestation. Eclampsia is unexplained generalized seizures in patients with preeclampsia. Diagnosis... read more and the HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets); such women typically require immediate delivery, and platelet transfusion is considered if platelet count is < 20,000/mcL (20 × 109/L), or < 50,000/mcL (< 50 × 109/L) if delivery is to be cesarean.

Sepsis

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
Carbatrol, Epitol , Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol -XR
Diabinese
ReoPro
Integrilin
Aggrastat
Hepflush-10 , Hep-Lock, Hep-Lock U/P, Monoject Prefill Advanced Heparin Lock Flush, SASH Normal Saline and Heparin
Esidrix, Ezide, HydroDIURIL, Microzide, Oretic, Zide
Qualaquin
Acid Reducer, Ranitidine, Taladine, Zantac, Zantac EFFERdose, Zantac Maximum Strength, Zantac Solution, Zantac Syrup
Rifadin, Rifadin IV, Rimactane
Primsol, Proloprim, TRIMPEX
FIRVANQ, Vancocin, Vancocin Powder, VANCOSOL
Argatroban
Angiomax, Bivalirudin
Arixtra
Coumadin, Jantoven
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NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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