title: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura--possibilities of treatment and results.
abstract: Results of treatment of 13 patients fulfilling the criteria for TTP are presented. Thrombocytopenia was present in all patients (100%). Eleven of 13 patients (84.6%) had conciousness disorder, and seven of 13 patients (53.8%) had renal impairment. Immunosuppressive therapy with plasmapheresis and replacement of removed volume with fresh frozen plasma in a dosage of 25 ml/kg body weight resulted in statistically significant increase of platelet count (p = 0.0033), and significant improvement of consciousness as defined by increased Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) (p = 0.0524). In two patients, renal function recovered and, in one patient, hemodialysis was no longer needed. This improvement in a small patient group has no statistical significance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Rebro, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gasparović
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mejić
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Pisl
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Radonić
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Radman
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents