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Role of methylene blue‐treated or fresh‐frozen plasma in the response to plasma exchange in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Author(s) -
De La Rubia Javier,
Arriaga Francisco,
Linares Dolores,
Larrea Luis,
Carpio Nelly,
Marty María L.,
Sanz Miguel A.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2001.02991.x
Subject(s) - thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura , fresh frozen plasma , methylene blue , therapeutic plasma exchange , medicine , platelet , purpura (gastropod) , gastroenterology , chemistry , biochemistry , biology , photocatalysis , ecology , catalysis
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.