Uremia and thrombotic microangiopathy: conditions that may havethe same manifestation

Ren Fail. 2013;35(2):286-8. doi: 10.3109/0886022X.2012.743913. Epub 2013 Jan 31.

Abstract

In this article, we present the case of a man with uremia. Laboratory testing revealed thrombocytopenia, erythrocyte fragmentation, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and malignant hypertension, manifestations that are similar to thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Thromboasthenia, manifested as a decrease in the platelet aggregation rate, was also noted. Regular hemodialysis (3 times per week) improved the patient's thrombocytopenia and thromboasthenia. This case supports the conclusion that uremic toxin, which can be removed by hemodialysis, inhibits the quantity and quality of platelets. We believe that the platelet aggregation rate can be a useful tool in distinguishing uremia from TMA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Platelet Aggregation / physiology*
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / diagnosis
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / pathology
  • Renal Dialysis / methods
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Thrombocytopenia / diagnosis
  • Thrombocytopenia / pathology
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / diagnosis*
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / pathology
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / therapy*
  • Uremia / diagnosis*
  • Uremia / pathology
  • Uremia / therapy*
  • Young Adult