Risk Factors Contributing Thrombocytopenia in Cardiac Patients at Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Thrombocytopenia is a clinically important hematological abnormality in cardiac patients because reduced platelet count may increase bleeding risk and complicate the use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy. Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of thrombocytopenia and describe associated demographic and hematological patterns among adult cardiac patients admitted to a tertiary-care hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted over four months among 152 cardiac patients aged 40–75 years. Patients were selected using a random sampling technique, and demographic characteristics, clinical information, and hematological parameters were obtained from medical records and laboratory reports. Platelet count, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, red cell indices, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were assessed. Data were summarized using frequencies and percentages. Results: Among 152 cardiac patients, males represented 58.6% and females 41.4%. The largest age group was 40–49 years, comprising 30.3% of patients. Anemia was the most frequent hematological abnormality, observed in 44.7% of patients, followed by leukocytosis in 20.4% and thrombocytopenia in 19.1%. Leukopenia, polycythemia, and thrombocytosis were observed in 9.9%, 5.3%, and 3.9% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: Hematological abnormalities were common among cardiac patients, with thrombocytopenia affecting approximately one-fifth of the cohort. Routine complete blood count assessment and platelet monitoring may support safer cardiovascular management, especially in patients receiving antithrombotic therapy.