Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

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Blood cells

TTP

Plasmapheresis, or plasma exchange, is used to remove unwanted substances from the blood (large von Willebrand protein complexes), and to replace the missing protease. Blood is withdrawn from the patient as for a blood donation.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 fresh plasma, 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, corticosteroids, or other immune suppression.

Plasmapheresis has improved the outcome of this disease so that 80-90% of patients now recover completely. However, fatalities still occur. With relapses, the remaining cases become chronic (long-term).

• Kidney failure
• Hemorrhage
• Stroke

Call your health care provider if unusual or unexplained bleeding occurs.

Review Date: 07/29/2005
Reviewed By: William Matsui, M.D., Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.