What treatment is typically used for TTP?

The treatment typically used for Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is plasmapheresis. TTP is characterized by a combination of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenic purpura, neurologic symptoms, and renal dysfunction, and it is often associated with the deficiency of the von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease, ADAMTS13.

Plasmapheresis serves two main purposes: it removes the circulating large von Willebrand factor multimers that contribute to the formation of microthrombi, thus helping to alleviate the symptoms of TTP, and it allows for the infusion of fresh plasma that contains the normal protease, which may help restore its activity. This intervention is critical for the acute management of TTP and has been shown to significantly improve patient outcomes.

In chronic cases or relapses, additional treatments such as immunosuppressive therapy may be explored, but the immediate and essential treatment for acute TTP remains plasmapheresis. This makes it a cornerstone in the management of TTP and the most appropriate choice in this case.