Tirofiban-induced diffuse alveolar haemorrhage

A middle-aged man presented with inferior wall ST-elevation myocardial infarction and underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention with tirofiban administered due to extensive thrombus. He developed sudden-onset dyspnoea, bilateral crepitations, haemoptysis, desaturation and hypotension an hour after starting tirofiban infusion. The tirofiban, antiplatelet medications and heparin were stopped immediately. Chest X-ray showed patchy opacities in the left upper, middle and lower zones. High-resolution CT showed confluent areas of consolidation with surrounding ground glass opacities and interlobular septal thickening (crazy pavement appearance) representing diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH). He was managed with inotropes, non-invasive ventilation and intravenous furosemide. He was asymptomatic with complete resolution of lung opacities in chest X-ray done 2 months follow-up. DAH is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication which is often misidentified with other respiratory syndromes. Treatment includes stopping tirofiban and anticoagulant medication, blood transfusion, and institution of mechanical ventilation.