Advances in pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of adult severe-associated thrombotic microangiopathy / 中华危重病急救医学

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a group of highly heterogeneous, acute and severe clinicopathological syndromes, characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), thrombocytopenia and ischemic injury of end organs. TMA has the characteristics of dangerous condition, multiple organ involvement and high mortality. Patients with severe TMA need to be admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) for organ function support therapy. Early and rapid evaluation, differential diagnosis, and timely and effective treatment are the key to improve the prognosis of TMA patients. Here, we review the pathophysiological changes, diagnosis differential diagnosis, and treatment of the severe TMA in adult.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of 12 cases of lupus nephritis complicated with thrombotic microangiopathy / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the clinical characteristics, pathological features, treatment regimen, and prognosis of children with lupus nephritis (LN) and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), as well as the treatment outcome of these children and the clinical and pathological differences between LN children with TMA and those without TMA.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was conducted on 12 children with LN and TMA (TMA group) who were admitted to the Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, from December 2010 to December 2021. Twenty-four LN children without TMA who underwent renal biopsy during the same period were included as the non-TMA group. The two groups were compared in terms of clinical manifestations, laboratory examination results, and pathological results.@*RESULTS@#Among the 12 children with TMA, 8 (67%) had hypertension and 3 (25%) progressed to stage 5 chronic kidney disease. Compared with the non-TMA group, the TMA group had more severe tubulointerstitial damage, a higher Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score at onset, and higher cholesterol levels (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the percentage of crescent bodies and the levels of hemoglobin and platelets (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#There is a higher proportion of individuals with hypertension among the children with LN and TMA, as well as more severe tubulointerstitial damage. These children have a higher SLEDAI score and a higher cholesterol level.

Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Transplant-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy --Review / 中国实验血液学杂志

Transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is one of the serious complications mostly occurring within 100 days after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Risk factors of TA-TMA include genetic predispositions, GVHD, and infections. The pathophysiological mechanisms of TA-TMA start with endothelial injury caused by complement activation, which leads to microvascular thrombosis, and microvascular hemolysis, ultimately resulting in multi-organ dysfunction. In recent years, the development of complement inhibitors has markedly improved the prognosis of TA-TMA patients. This review will give an update on risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of TA-TMA, so as to provide references for clinical practice.

Plasmic score applicability for the diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathy associated with ADAMTS13-acquired deficiency in a developing country

ABSTRACT Background: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a potentially fatal disease that requires early diagnosis and treatment that can be made possible by applying the PLASMIC score. This study aims to evaluate this score applicability for patients with suspected TTP in a developing country. Methods: This was a retrospective study performed at a tertiary hospital in the northeastern region of Brazil. Patients were analyzed in two groups: ADAMTS13 activity <10% and activity >10%. Patients were stratified according to the PLASMIC score, and the level of agreement between the PLASMIC score and the ADAMTS13 activity was evaluated. Results: Eight patients with thrombotic microangiopathy were included. Four patients had ADAMTS13 activity <10%, all with a PLASMIC score =6. The other four had ADAMTS13 activity >10%, all with a score <6. Based on a score =6 for presumptive diagnosis of TTP, we attained a 100% diagnostic accuracy in our sample. The PLASMIC score was also able to accurately predict response to plasma exchange and the risk of long-term unfavorable outcomes. Conclusions: The reproducibility of the PLASMIC score was quite satisfactory in our sample. It accurately discriminates between patients who had ADAMTS13 deficiency and those with normal enzyme activity, precluding the need for specific laboratory evaluation, which is not always available. This score can be useful for an early diagnosis and indicates which patients will benefit from the treatment in developing countries.

Microangiopatía trombótica en paciente con diagnóstico de lupus eritematoso sistémico: revisión de la literatura en relación a un caso clínico / Thrombotic microangiopathy in patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus: literature review with regards to a clinical case

El Síndrome Púrpura Trombótico Trombocitopénico/Síndrome Hemolítico Urémico (PTT/SHU) es la principal causa de Microangiopatía Trombótica (MAT) en pacientes con Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico (LES). Entre sus manifestaciones destacan la presencia de anemia hemolítica autoinmune, con trombocitopenia y falla renal en grados variables. No existe correlación entre los niveles de actividad de ADAMTS 13 y MAT. Presentamos un caso clínico de MAT asociado a LES. Se debe tener una alta sospecha diagnóstica por la sobreposición de las manifestaciones clínicas de PTT/SHU y LES. El tratamiento con plasmaféresis ha disminuido la mortalidad de 90 por ciento a 15 por ciento. En casos refractarios se ha reportado el uso de Rituximab, aunque aún falta evidencia que lo avale.

The thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Syndrome / Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (TTP/HUS) is the main cause behind Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TMA) in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Among the ways in which it manifests itself is the presence of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), with thrombocytopenia and kidney failure in various degrees. There is no co-relation between the levels of activity of ADAMTS13 and TMA. We present a clinical case of TMA associated to SLE. A high suspicion is paramount for diagnose due to the overlapping of clinical manifestations of TTP/HUS and SLE. Treatment with plasmapheresis has decreased mortality from 90 percent to 15 percent. Use of Rituximab in refractory cases has been reported, albeit a lack of supporting evidence.