Abciximab (ABX) is used for acute coronary syndrome and unstable angina. Thrombocytopenia is a frequent adverse effect described as occurring in the first 24hours. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in a context of pharmacovigilance survey, the occurrence of delayed thrombocytopenia following ABX infusion in pharmacovigilance database reports and in the literature.

Individual case safety reports (ICSRs) of delayed thrombocytopenia–between 3 and 30 days - with ABX presented as a single suspect were selected in VigiBase®, the WHO global database of ICSRs. The French cases were then extracted from the French national pharmacovigilance database. In addition, a literature review of published cases was performed using PubMed.

Among the 84 ICSRs selected from VigiBase®, 43 were also reported in the FPVD. Mean age was 60.1±12.3 years with a majority of male patients (77.4%). The average time to onset (TTO) was 8.9±5.2 days. Thrombocytopenia regressed in 5.1±2.7 days. Haemorrhagic complications were reported in 15% of ICSRs. In the French cases, the median nadir of platelet count was 28×10⁹/L (range 1-110) with a majority of grade 4 thrombocytopenia (39.5%). The literature review identified 42 cases and provided additional information on administered therapies, which include platelet units, corticosteroids, and IV immunoglobulins. GPIIb/IIIa-ABX complex antibodies were described in 26 published cases.

Delayed thrombocytopenia, probably due to immune reaction, is a possible life-threatening adverse effect of ABX with a mean TTO of 9 days, supporting the recommendation of a platelet count monitoring during at least two weeks. This recommendation was added to the abcximab SmPC in 2019.