Open AccessThrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Author(s) -
Jecko Thachil
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of the intensive care society/journal of the intensive care society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2057-360X
pISSN - 1751-1437
DOI - 10.1177/175114371101200308
Subject(s) - medicine , thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura , intensive care , intensive care medicine , critically ill , incidence (geometry) , disseminated intravascular coagulation , pediatrics , platelet , physics , optics
Thrombocytopenia is the most common coagulation problem in intensive care units with an incidence of up to 60% in some studies. It is often associated with multiple organ failure and high mortality. One of the life-threatening causes of thrombocytopenia in intensive care is thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). It is important that an early diagnosis of this condition is made in critically ill patients since early initiation of treatment can translate into a successful outcome. Patients who are diagnosed with TTP outside critical care units may very often require intensive care management due to the high rate of complications associated with this condition. This review summarises recent advances and outlines a practical approach to patients who are suspected to have TTP.