Role of methylene blue-treated or fresh-frozen plasma in the response to plasma exchange in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Twenty patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) underwent plasma exchange using either standard fresh-frozen plasma (Group A, n = 13) or methylene blue-treated plasma (Group B, n = 7). Both groups presented similar characteristics except that bilirubin values were higher in Group A (P < 0.05). The complete remission rate was higher in Group A than B (69% versus 57%). The mean number of procedures was higher in Group B (21 +/- 7 versus 11 +/- 3, P < 0.01) and the mean duration of hospitalization was also longer (37 +/- 12 d versus 22 +/- 11 d; P < 0.01). Our study shows that the use of methylene blue-treated fresh-frozen plasma to treat TTP is associated with a higher number of plasma exchanges and greater transfusion requirements without improving clinical results.
de la Rubia
J
J
Haematology Service, University Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
Arriaga
F
F
Linares
D
D
Larrea
L
L
Carpio
N
N
Marty
M L
ML
Sanz
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008751:Methylene Blue; D010949:Plasma; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000628:therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D008751:Methylene Blue