Published in:
01-12-2008 | Commentary
Does tirofiban prevent platelet loss in patients after cardiogenic shock during continuous renal replacement therapy?
Authors:
Christian Storm, Achim Jörres
Published in:
Critical Care
|
Issue 6/2008
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Abstract
Link and colleagues present a pilot study investigating platelet function and platelet numbers in patients with cardiogenic shock and acute kidney failure undergoing continuous venovenous haemodialysis. Their data indicate a significantly reduced platelet loss with combined therapy of unfractionated heparin plus tirofiban, the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist, compared with unfractionated heparin therapy alone. Owing to the small sample size, however, the potential impact of additional treatment variables (antiplatelet agents, intraaortic counterpulsation) could not be clarified. A substantially larger, adequately powered study is therefore called for to establish the potential clinical relevance of these findings.