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

J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2008 Nov;9(11):1159-62. doi: 10.2459/JCM.0b013e32831103c3.

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

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

Substances

  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase
  • Aspirin