title: Defibrotide in recurrent thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
abstract: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a common illness characterized by platelet thrombi within the microvascularization. In its natural course, this disease has had a mortality rate of 90%. Plasma infusion or exchange achieved a survival rate of 70% to 90%. However, 10% to 30% of patients surviving the initial TTP episode relapse at regular intervals. The treatment of recurrent forms of the disease remains a challenge; several approaches have been shown to induce medium to long term remissions. We describe a patient with recurrent TTP whose disease remitted after administration of defibrotide.
authors.affiliation: Haematology Division, S. Gerardo Hospital, Monza (MI), Italy.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Pogliani
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perseghin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parma
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pioltelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Corneo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D011089:Polydeoxyribonucleotides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D011089:Polydeoxyribonucleotides; C036901:defibrotide