The prognosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) can be unpredictable1,2


Patients can experience refractory disease or recurrence of their TTP (exacerbation or relapse), highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring3,4

The risks and effects of TTP extend beyond the first acute event that patients experience.5-7


Here are some of the various ways TTP can affect your patients after diagnosis and treatment.

day

0

TTP episode

Even with plasma exchange therapy (PEX), mortality risk persists8-10

20% accute mortality associated with episodes of aTTP

acute mortality associated
with episodes of aTTP9,10

5

days

Refractory TTP

Occurs when patients do not have a clinical response after 5 sessions of PEX. Clinical response is defined as sustained platelet count ≥150 × 109/L and LDH <1.5 times ULN and no clinical evidence of new or progressive organ injury.4

Refractory TTP can indicate poor prognosis for survival3

Up to 42% of aTTP patients experience unpredictable refractoriness

of aTTP patients experience unpredictable refractoriness

30

days

TTP exacerbation

A platelet count decrease after a clinical response and before a clinical remission. A clinical exacerbation is defined as platelet count decrease to <150 × 109/L (with other causes of thrombocytopenia excluded), with or without clinical evidence of new or progressive ischemic organ injury, within 30 days of stopping any therapy.4

TTP exacerbation is a threat to patient recovery11

More than 50% of patients have ≥1 TTP episode within 30 days of stopping plasma exchange

of patients have ≥1 TTP episode within 30 days of stopping plasma exchange*

*Retrospective review of French Reference Centre for TMA registry (N=388).

>30

days

TTP relapse

A new episode of TTP after achieving clinical remission. A clinical relapse is defined as platelet count decrease to <150 × 109/L (with other causes of thrombocytopenia ruled out), with or without clinical evidence of new ischemic organ injury and a confirmed documentation of severe ADAMTS13 deficiency.4

Clinical remission is defined as sustained clinical response with no specific treatment for ≥30 days or attainment of ADAMTS13 remission.

TTP relapse is a lifelong risk for patients with TTP6

Up to 84% reported relapse rate in studies of TTP

reported relapse rate in studies of TTP7

Monitor patients closely. Make them aware of the potential for recurrence (exacerbation or relapse) and educate on symptoms and triggers so they know to reach out immediately.

Understand the long-term risks of TTP beyond the acute stages.

ADAMTS13=a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 13; aTTP=acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura; LDH=lactate dehydrogenase; TMA=thrombotic microangiopathy; ULN=upper limit of normal; vWF=von Willebrand factor.

References: 1. Scully M, Cataland SR, Peyvandi F, et al. N Engl J Med. 2019;380(4):335-346. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1806311 2. Joly BS, Coppo P, Veyradier A. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Blood. 2017;129(21):2836-2846. doi:10.1182/blood-2016-10-709857 3. Sayani FA, Abrams CS. How I treat refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Blood. 2015;125(25):3860-3867. doi:10.1182/blood-2014-11-551580 4. Cuker A, Cataland SR, Coppo P, et al; International Working Group for Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. Redefining outcomes in immune TTP: an international working group consensus report. Blood. 2021;137(14):1855-1861. doi:10.1182/blood.2020009150 5. Han B, Page EE, Stewart LM, et al. Depression and cognitive impairment following recovery from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Am J Hematol. 2015;90(8):709-714. doi:10.1002/ ajh.24060 6. Deford CC, Reese JA, Schwartz LH, et al. Multiple major morbidities and increased mortality during long-term follow-up after recovery from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Blood. 2013;122(12):2023-2029. doi:10.1182/ blood-2013-04-496752 7. Thejeel B, Garg AX, Clark WF, et al. Long-term outcomes of thrombotic microangiopathy treated with plasma exchange: a systematic review. Am J Hematol. 2016;91(6):626-630. doi:10.1002/ajh.24339 8. Goel R, King KE, Takemoto CM, Ness PM, Tobian AAR. Prognostic risk-stratified score for predicting mortality in hospitalized patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: nationally representative data from 2007 to 2012. Transfusion. 2016;56(6):1451-1458. doi:10.1111/trf.13586 9. Kremer Hovinga JA, Vesely SK, Terrell DR, Lämmle B, George JN. Survival and relapse in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Blood. 2010;115(8):1500-1511. doi:10.1182/ blood-2009-09-243790 10. Peyvandi F, Scully M, Kremer Hovinga JA, et al. J Thromb Haemost. 2017;15(7):1448-1452. doi:10.1111/jth.13716 11. Grall M, Azoulay E, Galicier L, et al. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura misdiagnosed as autoimmune cytopenia: causes of diagnostic errors and consequence on outcome. Experience of the French Thrombotic Microangiopathies Reference Centre. Am J Hematol. 2017;92(4):381-387. doi:10.1002/ajh.24665