Safety and efficacy of cryoprecipitate-poor plasma as a replacement fluid for therapeutic plasma exchange in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: a single center retrospective evaluation.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a thrombotic microangiopathy caused by decreased activity of ADAMTS13, resulting in reduced clearance of ultralarge von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers. Treatment of TTP is therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) with replacement with fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Cryoprecipitate-poor plasma (CPP) is a plasma product with lower concentrations of large VWF multimers, and similar amounts of ADAMTS13. CPP is regarded as at least as efficacious as FFP in TTP but evidence of additional benefits has not been demonstrated. Furthermore, there are limited data on the frequency of adverse events associated with CPP.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

In our center, the choice between CPP and FFP is performed before the 1st TPE session at the physicians' discretion. Here, we retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of CPP based on the number of sessions, volume of plasma exposure, frequency of exacerbations/relapses, and adverse events.

RESULTS:

Fourteen patients with newly diagnosed TTP were included in this analysis. The proportion of CPP:FFP use was 5:9. There were no significant differences in age, gender, initial hemoglobin, platelet count, LDH, or etiology of TTP between groups. We observed a trend toward a higher number of TPE sessions and higher plasma exposure in CPP, compared to FFP-treated patients. Acute exacerbations were more frequent among patients treated with CPP (OR 26.6; 95%CI 1.01-703.51; P = 0.03). Mild allergic reactions were the most common treatment-related adverse event in both groups.

DISCUSSION:

Our data suggest that CPP should not be used as 1st line treatment for newly diagnosed TTP patients.

• Authors: Bianca Stefanello, Erich Vinícius De Paula, Fernanda Andrade Orsi, Jose Francisco Comenalli Marques Jr, Eduardo Gasparotto Roveri, Marina Pereira Colella, Margareth Castro Ozelo, Joyce Maria Annichino-Bizzacchi, Marcelo Addas-Carvalho
• Journal: Journal of clinical apheresis (J Clin Apher) Vol. 29 Issue 6 Pg. 311-5 (Dec 2014) ISSN: 1098-1101 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24890787 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Observational Study)
• Copyright: © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• cryoprecipitate coagulum
• Factor VIII
• Fibrinogen
• ADAM Proteins
• ADAMTS13 Protein
• ADAMTS13 protein, human

Topics

• ADAM Proteins (blood)
• ADAMTS13 Protein
• Adult
• Chills (etiology)
• Factor VIII
• Female
• Fever (etiology)
• Fibrinogen
• Gastrointestinal Diseases (etiology)
• Humans
• Hypersensitivity (etiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Plasma
• Plasma Exchange (adverse effects, methods)
• Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic (therapy)
• Recurrence
• Retrospective Studies
• Young Adult