Severe thrombocytopenia following intraarterial papaverine administration for treatment of vasospasm

J. A. Miller, D. T. Cross, C. J. Moran, R. G. Dacey, J. G. McFarland, M. N. Diringer

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46 Scopus citations

Abstract

Selective intraarterial infusion of papaverine is used in the treatment of symptomatic cerebral vasospasm. The authors report two episodes of severe thrombocytopenia in a patient that were related to intraarterial administration of papaverine. A 70-year-old man with a right internal carotid artery aneurysm underwent craniotomy and aneurysm clipping. He became lethargic 8 days after the hemorrhage occurred. Cerebral angiography revealed moderate vasospasm. In addition to hypervolemic-hypertensive therapy, the patient was treated on two occasions with intraarterial administration of papaverine. Within 24 hours of both treatments he developed severe thrombocytopenia. On one occasion epistaxis requiring transfusion of blood products occurred. Laboratory data support the diagnosis of immune-mediated papaverine-induced thrombocytopenia. The authors conclude that intraarterial administration of papaverine for treatment of vasospasm can be associated with severe, rapidly reversible thrombocytopenia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)435-437
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of neurosurgery
Volume83
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1995

Keywords

  • papaverine
  • subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • thrombocytopenia
  • vasospasm

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