Plasma Exchange in a Patient with Post-abortion Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome / 대한수혈학회지

ABSTRACT

Hemolytic uremic syndrome is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and severe renal failure. Microangiopathic thrombosis, thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) seem to occur under the condition of certain stresses, including pregnancy. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has proven to be an effective treatment for HUS and it has decreased the mortality of this illness. We experienced a case of a 34-year-old woman who was admitted for renal failure to our hospital immediately after an abortion. She presented with anuria, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Plasma exchange was started and substitution was performed with fresh frozen plasma and four consecutive plasmapheresis sessions were administered. After about five days from the beginning of her illness, the signs of active hemolysis disappeared and her renal function partially recovered.