Aspirin Desensitization and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a Patient with Aspirin Hypersensitivity and Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Case Report

Hypersensitivity to aspirin is rare disorder occurring in 1.88% of the patients. Aspirin-hypersensitive patients requiring single antiplatelet agent may be treated with clopidogrel, an alternative antiplatelet agent. However, aspirin desensitization is more cost-effective than the usage of clopidogrel in these patients. Furthermore, aspirin desensitization is of greater value in patients requiring dual antiplatelet therapy, for example following procedures like percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) instead of using non-aspirin-based combinations. Herein, we report a 74-year-old hypertensive male presented with features of acute coronary syndrome and planned for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of RCA followed by dual antiplatelet therapy. Since he had aspirin allergy, desensitization was done using rapid desensitization protocol for which he responded well. This case highlights the importance of aspirin-desensitization in patients with aspirin allergy instead of choosing non-aspirin based antiplatelet agents.