Document Detail


Thrombocytopenic purpura and cardiomyopathy in pregnancy reversed by combined plasma exchange and infusion.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12071941     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia have been seen with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets), and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Differentiating between TTP, HUS, and HELLP syndrome is often difficult. Coexistence of TTP and HELLP is possible. Cardiomyopathy occurring in pregnancy can be idiopathic or associated with TTP. We describe a previously healthy woman who developed thrombocytopenia and hemolysis at 34 wk gestation. The patient underwent delivery after transfusion with platelets and RBCs. The suspicion of TTP was raised, and plasma exchange was begun by the third hospital day. On the seventh day of treatment, the patient developed shortness of breath, and an echocardiogram showed global hypokinesis with an ejection fraction of 25%. Plasma infusion, one unit q 4 h, was initiated in addition to the daily plasma exchange. The patient improved and her ejection fraction normalized. Plasma exchange and infusion and corticosteroids were gradually tapered off. von Willebrand factor (vWF) protease activity in the plasma upon transfer was completely deficient with the presence of inhibitor. This case illustrates that vWF protease assay and detection of inhibitor can be used for the diagnosis of TTP during pregnancy; and a severe cardiomyopathy in TTP can be reversed rapidly with combined plasma exchange and infusion.
Authors:
Elizabeth M Cosmai; Leopold Puzis; H-M Tsai; Eric C-Y Lian
Publication Detail:
Type:  Case Reports; Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  European journal of haematology     Volume:  68     ISSN:  0902-4441     ISO Abbreviation:  Eur. J. Haematol.     Publication Date:  2002 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2002-06-19     Completed Date:  2002-07-24     Revised Date:  2007-11-14    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8703985     Medline TA:  Eur J Haematol     Country:  Denmark    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  239-42     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Miami and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Florida, USA.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Cardiomyopathies / therapy*
Erythrocyte Transfusion*
Female
Humans
Plasma Exchange*
Platelet Transfusion*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / therapy*
Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / therapy*
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
R01 HL62131/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Mononucleosis syndrome and acute monocytic leukemia.
Next Document:  Beneficial effects of rituximab on primary cold agglutinin disease refractory to conventional therap...