Defibrotide in recurrent thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic pul-pura (TTP) is a common illness characterize d by platelet thrombi within the microvascularization. In its natural cours e, this disease has had a mortality rate of 90%. Plasma infusion or exchang e achieved a survival rate of 70% to 90%. However, 10% to 30% of patients s urviving the initial TTP episode relapse at regular intervals. The treatmen t of recurrent forms of the disease remains a challenge; several approaches have been shown to induce medium to long term remissions. We describe a pa tient with recurrent TTP whose disease remitted after administration of def ibrotide.