Stroke due to typical thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura treated successfully with intravenous thrombolysis and therapeutic plasma exchange.
We report a case of a 39-year-old man with expressive aphasia due to occlusion of the temporal stem of the left middle cerebral artery. Laboratory tests showed microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia. A thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) was diagnosed, and thrombolytic therapy (TT) with alteplase followed by therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) were performed with complete resolution of symptoms. The gold standard TTP treatment is TPE, and its delay can be lethal. The use of TT in TTP is controversial and has potential risks. This case shows a successful TT in a patient with typical TTP presenting as a stroke due to a large cerebral artery occlusion.
Department of Internal Medicine, Santa Marta's Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal. matteoboattini@gmail.com
Matteo
M
Boattini
Gaetano
G
Procaccianti
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010951:Plasma Exchange / Q000379:methods; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator