A 23 y/o G2P1 pregnant woman presents to the MFM clinic at 19 weeks gestation. She complained of intermittent headaches and feeling "more tired."
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ฑ" title="Vor Angst schreiendes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Vor Angst schreiendes Gesicht">BP is 220/110!
Cr = 3.25, Hb/Hct = 5.4/18.6 Plt = 40
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐" title="Nach rechts zeigende Lupe" aria-label="Emoji: Nach rechts zeigende Lupe">Notice the #schistocytes on her peripheral smear below
Cr = 3.25, Hb/Hct = 5.4/18.6 Plt = 40
Which of the following conditions can #schistocytes be found?
You got it! #Schistocytes are a RBC abnormality that can be seen in a number of conditions, and are caused by
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐จ" title="Hammer" aria-label="Emoji: Hammer">mechanical destruction of the RBC. In thrombotic microangioapathies (TTP/HUS), #Schistocytes are formed when
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="โ๏ธ" title="Schere" aria-label="Emoji: Schere">sheared through microthrombi formed in small vessels.
#TTP is a type of disease known as a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). It is a condition in which microthrombi form, leading to PLT consumption (thrombocytopenia). When this occurs RBCs are fragmented & become hemolyzed as they travel through microvessels. Organ failure ensues.
ADAMTS13 results is not always available with a rapid turn around time, thereofre, it is extremely useful to use the #PLASMIC score to assess who might benefit from early initiation of plasma exchange while awaiting ADAMTS13 results. https://www.mdcalc.com/plasmic-score-ttp">https://www.mdcalc.com/plasmic-s...
#TherapeuticPlasmaExchange is considered first line therapy for
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ฅ" title="Goldmedaille" aria-label="Emoji: Goldmedaille">TTP, and benefits the patient is 2 ways:
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐" title="Nach rechts und links zeigende Pfeile in offenem Kreis im Uhrzeigersinn" aria-label="Emoji: Nach rechts und links zeigende Pfeile in offenem Kreis im Uhrzeigersinn">Removes patient& #39;s plasma - removes the autoantibody
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐" title="Nach rechts und links zeigende Pfeile in offenem Kreis im Uhrzeigersinn" aria-label="Emoji: Nach rechts und links zeigende Pfeile in offenem Kreis im Uhrzeigersinn">Adds donor plasma - add ADAMTS13
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐๐ผ" title="Thumbs up (mittelheller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Thumbs up (mittelheller Hautton)">Great news - it is safe in pregnancy!
Pregnancy is the most common trigger of adult-onset congenital TTP, and prophylactic treatment is associated with better outcomes. http://www.bloodjournal.org/content/133/15/1644http://www.bloodjournal.org/content/133/15/1644">https://www.bloodjournal.org/content/1...
At the end of our discussion, a great question was posed.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ค" title="Denkendes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Denkendes Gesicht">Is it possible that pregnant patients diagnosed with HELLP who don& #39;t recover postpartum, have undiagnosed TTP?
Any additional pearls or experiences, please share below.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐๐ผ" title="Folded hands (mittelheller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Folded hands (mittelheller Hautton)">Thank you!
Any additional pearls or experiences, please share below.