FATAL ALVEOLAR HEMORRHAGE AND ABCIXIMAB (REOPRO(TM)) THERAPY FOR ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

We describe two cases of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and development o f ARDS in patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary an gioplasty (PICA) with stenting in whom Abciximab (ReoPro(TM)) was used in combination with other agents interfering with the hemostatic mech anism, The development of pulmonary infiltrates, associated with a fal l in hemoglobin after the administration of Abciximab, should strongly suggest the possibility of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Physicians sh ould be aware of the possible association between the use of Abciximab and the development of alveolar hemorrhage. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.