[Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: report on 5 cases and current therapy concepts]

Report on 5 patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Four of the five survived. The following forms of treatment have been used: up to 1976, splenectomy and corticosteroids; since 1976, antiplatelet agents and exchange transfusions, and since 1978, antiplatelet agents and fresh plasma or plasma exchange. The author's experience is identical to that in the more recent case reports: early treatment with antiplatelet agents and fresh plasma-in case of failure with plasma exchange - appears to improve the hitherto fatal prognosis.