The Frequency of Thrombocytopenia in Patients With Heart Disease Treated With Oral Diuretics

The occurrence of asymptomatic thrombocytopenia in patients with heart disease during treatment with oral diuretics has been investigated. The study is retrospective and comprises an analysis of 244 consecutive cases admitted to a cardiological ward during a period of six months. A platelet count below 100 times 103/mm3 was regarded as indicative of thrombocytopenia. In the control group (93 subjects) four cases and in the diuretic group (71 subjects) 19 cases with thrombocytopenia were found. Of the remaining 80 subjects seven had thrombocytopenia, six of whom had had oral diuretics. Concomitant administration of other drugs such as quinidine or digitoxin could not account for the difference between the control group and the group treated with oral diuretics. In the diuretic group right heart failure and enlargement of the heart was, however, more prevalent. It is concluded that in patients with heart failure there is a considerable risk of the development of thrombocytopenia during treatment with oral diuretics.