Clinico-histopathological characteristics of clopidogrel-induced hepatic injury: case report and review of literature

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Aug;18(8):931-4. doi: 10.1097/00042737-200608000-00022.

Abstract

Clopidogrel is a thienopyridine derivative with a relatively low occurrence of adverse side effects. Increasing evidence, however, suggests that clopidogrel may cause severe liver injury. Until now, five cases of clopidogrel-induced acute hepatitis have been reported. We describe the case of an 80-year-old man who developed symptomatic liver disease 6 weeks after 1x75 mg/day clopidogrel intake as adjunctive antiplatelet therapy for a renal artery stent implantation. Histological examination revealed severe acute hepatitis with extensive hepatocanalicular cholestasis and focal cell necrosis with a preferential zone-3 distribution of hepatic damage. In the present paper, we describe the clinico-histopathological characteristics of a case of clopidogrel-induced acute hepatitis and discuss the current literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology*
  • Clopidogrel
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Ticlopidine / adverse effects
  • Ticlopidine / analogs & derivatives*

Substances

  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Clopidogrel
  • Ticlopidine