PROTEOLYTIC DEGRADATION OF HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT KININOGEN IN ACUTE THROMBOTIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia and schistocytic haemolytic anaemia. The majority of patients have normal coagulation parameters including the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). An intracellular cysteine protease, calpain, has been found in the plasma of many patients with acute TTP, and we hypothesize that it participates in the pathogenesis of the disorder. However, certain …