Therapeutic hemapheresis practitioners need to know about the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
In the field of therapeutic apheresis, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) makes up a large percentage of the conditions treated by plasma exchange. The implementation of plasma exchange in the treatment of TTP has been shown to reduce the mortality rate for this group of patients significantly. Apheresis operators see many patients with acute symptoms, the "chronic" syndrome of TTP, and those with a "relapsing" TTP. The apheresis practitioner is with the patient for several hours during each treatment, and thus becomes an element of continuity in the care and assessment of the TTP patient. Progress in understanding the pathophysiology of this condition necessitates the frequent review of literature published regarding TTP, and continuing education of staff and physicians.
Hemapheresis Consultant, American Society for Apheresis Vice President, 4820 Lodge Lane, Greenwood, MN 55331, USA. tarinediva@aol.com
Patricia Jost
PJ
Golden
D001781:Blood Component Removal; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence