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Patient handout

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (immune-mediated)

PRODUCTION

1. Your condition

This handout is for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (immune-mediated). Your care team identified this based on: thrombocytopenia + maha (schistocytes + ldh up + indirect bili up) — ash 2020; isth 2017.

Other reasons your team may use this plan: pentad: thrombocytopenia + maha + neuro + renal + fever (rare complete) — ash 2020; high plasmic score → adamts13 send-out + stat pex — bendapudi 2017; ash 2020.

2. Your medications

Take these medications exactly as prescribed. Do not stop or change a dose without talking to your provider.

MedicationStarting doseHowWhenWhat it does
plasma_exchange_TPE1.5 plasma volumes per session, exchanged with FFP or solvent-detergent plasmaapheresisdaily until plt >150 × 2 daysRock NEJM 1991 — mortality 90%→10%; mainstay even before ADAMTS13 result

Plan: Acute iTTP induction (PLEX + caplacizumab + steroid + rituximab — HERCULES NEJM 2019)

4. When to seek emergency care

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have:

  • PLASMIC score ≥5 (intermediate-high probability iTTP) (Bendapudi Blood 2017)(life-threatening)
  • Troponin elevation OR ST changes OR new HF in TTP (ASH 2020 TTP)(life-threatening)
  • Seizure / stroke / encephalopathy in TTP (ASH 2020 TTP)(life-threatening)
  • No platelet response after 5 PLEX sessions (ASH 2020 TTP refractory definition)
  • Major bleeding on caplacizumab (Scully NEJM 2019 HERCULES)

5. Follow-up

Hem clinic for ADAMTS13 surveillance; vaccination; preventive rituximab if low ADAMTS13 trend; pregnancy risk counseling — ASH 2020; ISTH 2017

6. Sources

Guideline: ISTH 2020 TTP Guidelines — diagnosis (Zheng et al, J Thromb Haemost 2020) + treatment; 2025 ISTH focused update; Rock et al NEJM 1991 plasma exchange (Canadian Apheresis Study Group); HERCULES caplacizumab (Scully NEJM 2019); PLASMIC score (Bendapudi Lancet Haematol 2017)

  1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32914582
  2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32914526
  3. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40533296