Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (TTP) following emergent aortic valve replacement after a complicated TAVR procedure: a case report and review of the literature

J Cardiothorac Surg. 2024 Sep 23;19(1):545. doi: 10.1186/s13019-024-03055-5.

Abstract

Background: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare hematological disorder. The occurrence of TTP subsequent to an emergent aortic valve replacement after a TAVR procedure is exceedingly uncommon with only a few reported cases worldwide.

Case presentation: We report the case of a 70-year-old female patient diagnosed with aortic insufficiency. Following a transcatheter aortic valve replacement, she underwent emergency aortic valve replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass on the subsequent day due to heart valve displacement. The postoperative diagnosis revealed TTP and symptomatic treatment involving plasma exchange was administered. After demonstrating steady improvement, the patient was eventually discharged.

Conclusion: Aortic valve replacement after TAVR is a high-risk procedure and increases susceptibility for developing secondary TTP. The diagnosis and treatment of secondary TPP is considerably challenging, and early diagnosis with symptomatic treatment including plasma exchange can increase patient survival.

Keywords: Aortic valve replacement after TAVR; Plasma exchange; Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aortic Valve / surgery
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic* / diagnosis
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic* / therapy
  • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement* / methods