Drug-eluting stents in a patient with favism: is the aspirin administration safe?

Abstract

We describe the case of a 64-year-old patient with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency who was referred to our hospital because of an acute inferior myocardial infarction.Given the possible risk of acute haemolytic anaemia, aspirin was not given in the acute phase, and the patient was successfully treated by balloon angioplasty of the right coronary artery.After functional and genetic testing showing the presence of the Mediterranean mutation, known to be a class II variant, the patient received oral daily aspirin (100 mg) under strict monitoring in order to promptly detect any sign of haemolysis. After 4 days, a complex percutaneous coronary intervention with an implantation of two drug-eluting stents was successfully performed on the left coronary artery. After 3 months, the patient is free from adverse events.Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is commonly considered a contraindication to aspirin intake; however, this case shows that aspirin at low, antiplatelet dosage is well tolerated and should not be denied to patients with ischaemic heart disease and complex coronary anatomy.

• Authors: Stefano Rigattieri, Pasquale Silvestri, Angelo Minucci, Cristian Di Russo, Giuseppe Ferraiuolo, Bruno Giardina, Ettore Capoluongo, Paolo Loschiavo
• Journal: Journal of cardiovascular medicine (Hagerstown, Md.) (J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown)) Vol. 9 Issue 11 Pg. 1159-62 (Nov 2008) ISSN: 1558-2027 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18852594 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
• Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase
• Aspirin

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Anemia, Hemolytic (chemically induced, genetics)
• Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary (adverse effects, instrumentation)
• Aspirin (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Coronary Angiography
• Drug-Eluting Stents
• Favism (complications, enzymology, genetics)
• Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase (genetics)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mutation
• Myocardial Infarction (complications, diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, therapy)
• Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Risk Assessment
• Treatment Outcome