Lombardy diagnostic and therapeutic network of thrombotic microangiopathy.

BACKGROUND: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare, life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) requiring urgent treatment. Standardization of its diagnosis and optimal management is challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the role of centralized, rapid testing of ADAMTS13 in patients experiencing acute TMAs requiring plasma-exchange (PEX) and to estimate the incidence of TTP in a large Italian Region. METHODS: We perfomed a cohort study in the frame of the project "Set-up of a Lombardy network for the study and treatment of patients undergoing apheresis", including 11 transfusion centers in the Region. Consecutive patients referred from 2014 to 2016 with acute TMAs requiring PEX were enrolled. Centralized ADAMTS13 activity testing was performed at the Milan Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center within 24 h. RESULTS: Forty-three TMA patients (44 events) were enrolled, of whom 35 (81%) had severe ADAMTS13 deficiency. Patients with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency were younger, mainly women, with a higher prevalence of autoimmune disorders and a lower prevalence of cancer. Clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with and without severe ADAMTS13 deficiency largely overlapped, with a lower platelet count being the only baseline marker that significantly differed between the two patient groups (ADAMTS13 activity < 10% vs ≥ 10%: median difference of -27 × 109/l, 95% CI - 37 to - 3). PEX treatment was initiated in all patients, but soon discontinued in cases without severe ADAMTS13 deficiency. In this group, the mortality rate was higher and no episode exacerbations or relapses within 6 months occured. The estimated average annual incidence of acute acquired TTP events was 1.17 [0.78-1.55] per million people. CONCLUSIONS: Severe ADAMTS13 deficiency distinguished two groups of patients with largely overlapping clinical features but different treatment and disease course. This study provides a feasible model implemented in a large Italian region for the practical clinical approach to TMAs and underlines the importance of urgent ADAMTS13 activity testing for an accurate differential diagnosis and therapeutic approach.

Long-lasting suppression of prolactin secretion and rapid shrinkage of prolactinomas after a long-acting, injectable form of bromocriptine.

Since Corenblum reported in 1975 the first documented reduction of tumor size in two patients with macroprolactinoma, evidence has accumulated that bromocriptine causes shrinkage of PRL-secreting adenomas in most patients. Recently a long-acting form of bromocriptine (bromocriptine LA) was developed. A single dose of 50 mg i.m. decreases basal and sleep-related PRL secretion in normal subjects for 28 days. We treated 13 patients (8 women, 5 men) with PRL secreting tumors (5 macroadenomas and 8 microadenomas) with a single dose (50 mg) of bromocriptine LA. In the 5 patients with macroprolactinomas plasma PRL levels decreased markedly within 12 hours, reaching normal levels in only one patient. In all patients the suppression of PRL secretion lasted at least 28 days and the tumor size was reduced by 20% to 59% within 21 days after the injection. Visual fields improved in all 3 patients with abnormal vision prior to the injection. In one patient with bitemporal hemianopsia an almost normalization of the visual field was noted 24 hours after bromocriptine LA administration. In 7/8 patients with microprolactinomas plasma PRL levels decreased to within the normal range within 12 hours after the administration of bromocriptine LA. The normalization of PRL secretion lasted for at least 28 days. Menses resumed in all 6 women 7 to 41 days after the injection, galactorrhea disappeared in all 4 patients, and libido and potency become normal in both men with microprolactinomas. Patients treated with bromocriptine LA reported only short-lasting (1 hour - 2 days) mild or moderate adverse effects, consisting of dizziness (4 patients) and nausea (4 patients). Long-acting bromocriptine should be considered as the initial management for patients with PRL-secreting tumors. The use of bromocriptine LA could also overcome the compliance problems that occur in many patients soon after the initiation of oral bromocriptine therapy.