MISOPROSTOL-ASSOCIATED PLATELET-AGGREGATION DYSFUNCTION AND INCREASEDGASTROINTESTINAL BLOOD-LOSS

We report a case where an acquired deficit in platelet aggregation was associated with the use of misoprostol and contributed to increased g astrointestinal blood loss. A 70-year-old man presented with chronic g astrointestinal blood loss secondary to widespread telangiectases. Inv estigations showed prolonged bleeding time and severely impaired plate let aggregation in vitro. Withdrawal of misoprostol resulted in resolu tion of the prolonged bleeding time and improvement in the platelet dy sfunction. We conclude that misoprostol can lead to impaired platelet function and may exacerbate blood loss.