Thrombocytopenia is the most common coagulation problem in intensive care units with an incidence of up to 60% in some studies. It is often associated with multiple organ failure and high mortality. One of the life-threatening causes of thrombocytopenia in intensive care is thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). It is important that an early diagnosis of this condition is made in critically ill patients since early initiation of treatment can translate into a successful outcome. Patients who are diagnosed with TTP outside critical care units may very often require intensive care management due to the high rate of complications associated with this condition. This review summarises recent advances and outlines a practical approach to patients who are suspected to have TTP.
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