What is Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)?

About Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP):

• It is a rare, life-threatening blood disorder.
• “Thrombotic” refers to the blood clots that form.
• “Thrombocytopenic” means the blood has a lower-than-normal platelet count.
• “Purpura” refers to purple bruises caused by bleeding under your skin.
• In TTP, blood clots form in small blood vessels throughout your body. 
• The clots can limit or block the flow of blood to your organs, such as your brain, kidneys, and heart. This can prevent your organs from working properly and damage your organs.
• The increased clotting that occurs in TTP also uses up your platelets. Platelets are tiny blood cells that help form blood clots. These cell fragments stick together to seal small cuts and breaks in your blood vessels to stop bleeding.
• When your platelets are used up, you do not have enough platelets to form blood clots when necessary. This can cause internal bleeding, bleeding underneath the skin, and other bleeding problems.
• What causes TTP?
  • TTP occurs when you do not have the right amount of an enzyme (a type of protein in your blood) called
  • This enzyme controls how your blood clots. If you do not have enough ADAMTS13, your body makes too many blood clots.
  • TTP can be inherited or acquired. 
  • TTP usually occurs suddenly and lasts for days or weeks, but it can continue for months. 
  • TTP can also cause red blood cells to break apart faster than your body can replace them. This leads to a rare form of anemia called hemolytic anemia.
• Symptoms of TTP may include any of the following:
  • Bleeding into the skin or mucus membranes
  • Confusion
  • Fatigue, weakness
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Pale skin color or yellowish skin color
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fast heart rate (over 100 beats per minute)
• TTP can be fatal. Without treatment, it can cause long-term problems, such as brain damage or a stroke.  
• Treatment: Plasma treatments and medicines are the most common ways to treat TTP. If these treatments do not work, you may need surgery.