What combination of drugs and treatments show promise in atypical HUS?
Antiplatelet agents act by inhibition of platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. These agents shorten the duration of thrombocytopenia but are not beneficial alone; they are used in combination with plasma exchange. Plasma infusion (fresh frozen plasma [FFP]) is effective in select patients. Plasma infusion supplements deficient plasma factors, with an overall response of 60%. Most patients require a large volume of plasma, which creates the possibility of circulatory overload. Dialysis may be required. Plasma exchange is the treatment of choice in TTP, with an overall response of 80%. This procedure removes insulting agents and supplements deficient plasma factors. Malvinder S Parmar, MD, FRCPC, FACP, Medical Director, Medical Program, Timmins & District Hospital, Assistant Professor (VPT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Department of Internal Medicine, What’s involved in a plasmapheresis treatment? A plasmapheresis treatment takes several hours and can be done on an
