Atypical thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a middle-aged woman who presented with a recurrent stroke.
An atypical clinical presentation makes TTP diagnosis difficult, which prevents prompt management of TTP. This case highlights the importance of early recognition of TTP in patients with atypical presentations who may not have the expected clinical or laboratory findings. The level of suspicion should be especially high in young and middle-aged patients with strokes or acute coronary syndrome who do not have other risk factors for cardiovascular events. This is particularly so for those patients who have a previous episode of TTP or patients with subtle laboratory abnormalities, which may suggest the potential existence of a thrombotic microangiopathic process.
Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. modupe.idowu@uth.tmc.edu
Modupe
M
Idowu
Preethi
P
Reddy
D051722:ADAM Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D000071120:ADAMTS13 Protein; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D012008:Recurrence; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*
D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000071120:ADAMTS13 Protein; C099604:ADAMTS13 protein, human