Therapeutic plasma exchange in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura–hemolytic uremic syndrome: the 10‐year experience of a single center

Abstract

Background: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been used for the treatment of patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura–hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP–HUS). We report the 10‐year treatment results along with the risk factors analyses.Methods: Retrospective analyses were performed on patients who were treated with TPE for TTP–HUS.Results: Fifty‐two patients were included. Secondary causes were identified in 38 patients (73·1%). The others were classified as idiopathic. After a median five sessions of TPE, 26 patients (50·0%) achieved remission. Remission rate in patients with idiopathic and secondary TTP–HUS was 71·4 and 42·1%, respectively. Overall 30‐day mortality rate was 34·6% and median overall survival was 5·2 months. Patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation‐associated TTP–HUS did not respond and had poor overall survival. Males had a lower remission rate than females (P = 0·009).Conclusions: TPE was an effective treatment in patients with idiopathic TTP–HUS. Treatment results were various according to etiology and gender.