Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare blood condition. It causes blood clots to form in small blood vessels throughout the body. These blood clots can cause serious problems if they block blood vessels and limit blood flow to the brain, kidneys, or heart.
Blood clots form when blood cells called platelets (PLATE-lets) clump together. Platelets are made in your bone marrow along with other kinds of blood cells. They stick together to seal small cuts or breaks and stop bleeding.
In TTP, when blood clots form, there are fewer platelets in the blood. This can cause bleeding into the skin (purpura), prolonged bleeding from cuts, and internal bleeding. It also causes small blood clots to form suddenly throughout the body, including in the brain and kidneys.
Thrombotic (throm-BOT-ik) refers to the blood clots that form. Thrombocytopenic (throm-bo-cy-toe-PEE-nick) means there’s a lower than normal number of platelets in the blood. Purpura (PURR-purr-ah) are purple bruises caused by bleeding into the skin.
