[New marker in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura]
Jens Peter Gøtze1, Andreas Hillarp, Anders Lindblom
1Rigshospitalet, Klinisk Biokemisk Afdeling, Københavns Universitet, Biomedicinsk Institut, København Ø.
Abstract:
Thrombotic microangiopathy can be caused by several conditions which are difficult to diagnose from the clinical presentation alone. Deficient enzyme activity of a newly-discovered enzyme, ADAMTS-13, can lead to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Lack of ADAMTS-13 activity causes increased concentrations of high molecular weight von Willebrand factor forms and increased platelet aggregation. Measurement of ADAMTS-13 activity is useful for the diagnosis of TTP and may also be relevant as a prognostic test for recurrent TTP.
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