Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Alternative names:
Moschcowitz's disease; TTP
Treatment:
Plasmapheresis, or plasma exchange, is used to remove unwanted substances from the blood (antigen antibody complexes). Blood is withdrawn from the patient as for a blood donation. Then the plasma portion of the blood is passed through a cell separator. The remaining portion of the blood is saved, reconstituted with a plasma substitute, and returned to the patient as a blood transfusion. In thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, this treatment is repeated daily until blood tests show improvement. People who do not respond to this treatment, or have frequent recurrences, may require the removal of the spleen.
Expectations (prognosis):
Plasmapheresis has improved the outcome of this disease so that 80 to 90% of patients now recover completely; however, fatalities still occur. With relapses, the remaining cases become chronic.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if unusual or unexplained bleeding occurs.
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