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Diagnosis Of TTP

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Diagnosis of TTP

High clinical suspicion of immune-mediated TTP (iTTP) is defined as Thrombocytopenia: platelet count < 100,000 and

Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia1-2: two or more of the following criteria's

  • elevated absolute reticulocytes count > 100,000/uL

  • elevated indirect bilirubin

  • undetectable haptoglobin

  • elevated LDH

  • schistocytes in blood smear:

  • Direct Antiglobulin Test ( DAT or Coombs): negative

ADAMTS-13 activity < 10% and the presence of ADAMTS-13 inhibitor or antibody

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Diagnosis of TTP (Cont)

If the diagnosis is uncertain and/or ADAMTS-13 is not available, the USTMA suggests the use of the PLASMIC score 4, a clinical prediction tool, as an adjunct to clinical judgment and to guide initial management of patients with TMA (thrombotic microangiopathy). The PLASMIC score does NOT confirm or exclude the diagnosis of iTTP and does not take in consideration patients with comorbidities5.

Testing

Lab tests prior to initiation of plasma exchange:

  • For all patients send: ADAMTS-13 activity, ADAMTS-13 antibody or inhibitor titer, and a citrate tube in case of additional testing is needed

  • Other supporting tests based on clinical presentation:

  • DIC panel

  • Troponin as a prognostic indicator

  • Hepatitis B panel

  • Pregnancy test

  • Additional testing in the pediatric population:

  • Lupus anticoagulant

  • ANA, ds DNA and antiphospholipid antibodies

  • C3 and C4

  • Shiga Toxin PCR

If ADAMTS-13 is normal and/or creatinine is < 2.25 then

  • Shiga Toxin and stool cultures

If you still have questions about the diagnosis, then the USTMA suggests referring the patient to the closest academic center to assist with further evaluation.

The immediate transfer should be made to a center with plasmapheresis capabilities once the diagnosis of iTTP is suspected even if the diagnosis is not yet confirmed.

References:

  1. Burns ER, Lou Y, Pathak A. Morphologic Diagnosis of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. American Journal of Hematology 75:18&ndash;21 (2004)

  2. Barcellini W, Fattizzo B.Clinical Applications of Hemolytic Markers in the Differential Diagnosis and Management of Hemolytic Anemia. Dis Markers. 2015; 2015: 635670.

  3. ISTH TTP guidelines isth.org

  4. Bendapudi P.K., Hurwitz S., Fry A., Marques M.B., Waldo S.W., Li A. Derivation and external validation of the PLASMIC score for rapid assessment of adults with thrombotic microangiopathies: a cohort study. Lancet Haematol. 2017;4:157-164.

  5. Chiasakul T, Cuker A. Clinical and laboratory diagnosis of TTP: an integrated approach. Am Soc Hematol Educ Program 2018 (1): 530-538.

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