BACKGROUND: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare disease with 90% mortality if untreated. Since the Canadian Apheresis Group (CAG) trial showed greater survival with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) versus plasma infusion, there has been widespread adoption of TPE. Beyond TPE, there is significant practice variation. To characterize this, we developed a survey sent to physicians who might be directly involved in TTP management. METHODS: The survey was sent to CAG members as well as hematologists and nephrologists nationwide and addressed areas of controversy or recognized practice heterogeneity. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses, and the χ2 test was used to compare respondents who were and were not CAG physicians. We also compared responses by estimated frequency of TTP cases per year. RESULTS: The CAG response rate was 31% (13 of 42). The survey was sent to 665 non-CAG physicians, of whom 41 responded (6.1%). Though not statistically different, CAG and non-CAG respondents varied regarding use of corticosteroids, aspirin, and venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis. Significant differences were found between CAG and non-CAG groups regarding cryosupernatant as fluid choice (69.2% vs. 22.5%, P = .004) and the use of TPE tapering (84.6% vs. 51.3%, P = .034), respectively. CONCLUSION: TTP treatment is variable across centres in Canada. Areas of significant variation include the choice of replacement fluid for TPE and whether or not and how to taper TPE. Our survey highlights the practice heterogeneity that exists and identifies areas where more evidence is needed and perhaps where trials should be performed.
BACKGROUND:Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare disease with 90% mortality if untreated. Since the Canadian Apheresis Group (CAG) trial showed greater survival with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) versus plasma infusion, there has been widespread adoption of TPE. Beyond TPE, there is significant practice variation. To characterize this, we developed a survey sent to physicians who might be directly involved in TTP management. METHODS: The survey was sent to CAG members as well as hematologists and nephrologists nationwide and addressed areas of controversy or recognized practice heterogeneity. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses, and the χ2 test was used to compare respondents who were and were not CAG physicians. We also compared responses by estimated frequency of TTP cases per year. RESULTS: The CAG response rate was 31% (13 of 42). The survey was sent to 665 non-CAG physicians, of whom 41 responded (6.1%). Though not statistically different, CAG and non-CAG respondents varied regarding use of corticosteroids, aspirin, and venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis. Significant differences were found between CAG and non-CAG groups regarding cryosupernatant as fluid choice (69.2% vs. 22.5%, P = .004) and the use of TPE tapering (84.6% vs. 51.3%, P = .034), respectively. CONCLUSION: TTP treatment is variable across centres in Canada. Areas of significant variation include the choice of replacement fluid for TPE and whether or not and how to taper TPE. Our survey highlights the practice heterogeneity that exists and identifies areas where more evidence is needed and perhaps where trials should be performed.
Authors: Linus A Völker; Jessica Kaufeld; Wolfgang Miesbach; Sebastian Brähler; Martin Reinhardt; Lucas Kühne; Anja Mühlfeld; Adrian Schreiber; Jens Gaedeke; Markus Tölle; Wolfram J Jabs; Fedai Özcan; Silke Markau; Matthias Girndt; Frederic Bauer; Timm H Westhoff; Helmut Felten; Martin Hausberg; Marcus Brand; Jens Gerth; Markus Bieringer; Martin Bommer; Stefan Zschiedrich; Johanna Schneider; Saban Elitok; Alexander Gawlik; Anja Gäckler; Andreas Kribben; Vedat Schwenger; Ulf Schoenermarck; Maximilian Roeder; Jörg Radermacher; Jörn Bramstedt; Anke Morgner; Regina Herbst; Ana Harth; Sebastian A Potthoff; Charis von Auer; Ralph Wendt; Hildegard Christ; Paul T Brinkkoetter; Jan Menne Journal: Blood Adv Date: 2020-07-14