Journal
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS
Volume 26, Issue 3, Pages 152-155Publisher
WILEY-BLACKWELL
DOI: 10.1002/jca.20276
Keywords
stroke; middle cerebral artery; thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; thrombolysis
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Background and purpose: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening multisystem disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia and fluctuating neurological symptoms due to microinfarcts. In rare cases, large cerebral arteries can be occluded. Summary of the case: We report on a 30-year-old woman with a first-ever acute stroke related to a right proximal MCA M1 occlusion. Platelet count was normal at admission and progressively decreased 6 days after intravenous thrombolysis with the occurrence of a hemolytic anemia with schistocytes. Most biological anomalies reversed after plasma exchange. No hemorrhagic complication occurred. Diagnosis of initial TTP was confirmed by low ADAMTS13 activity and positivity of anti-ADAMTS13 antibody. Conclusion: This observation highlights the fact that even if platelet count and hemoglobin rate are normal in the beginning, an acute ischemic stroke in a young patient can be related to TTP. Faced with subsequent thrombopenia, practitioners should be aware of acquired TTP, and, thus, schistocytes, haptoglobin, and LDH assays should be performed. Early diagnosis is paramount to start the life-saving plasma exchanges. J. Clin. Apheresis 26:152-155, 2011. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available