Hypertensive Emergency with Thrombotic Microangiopathy or TTP? A Case Series and Literature Review

Abstract

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is associated with both hypertensive emergency and primary thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP). However, their clinical management is vastly different, with the latter necessitating urgent plasma exchange (PEX). We report two cases of hypertension-associated TMA (HTN-TMA) and a literature review of the clinical management of malignant hypertension. We suggest that in patients presenting with hypertensive emergency associated with TMA, a clinical diagnosis of HTN-TMA should be made, with emergent treatment to lower blood pressure started immediately. Although TTP is a differential diagnosis for TMA, PEX should not be started concurrently in the absence of other supporting evidence for TTP.