Thrombocytopenia induced by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors

The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are known to induce leucopenia and neutropenia, particularly in patients with renal insufficiency and autoimmune diseases. Thrombocytopenia is usually associated with aplastic anaemia, but there are only two reports of pure thrombocytopenia. Two sisters with idiopathic hypertension were treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, which induced thrombocytopenia after nine days and eight weeks of treatment. The authors assessed the likelihood of drug induced thrombocytopenia using a scale for chronological (C = 0-3) and semilogical (S = 0-3) features produced by a French consensus meeting.