| Abstract: | Chronic refractory idiopathic purpura(ITP) is defined as ITP with persistent thrombocytopenia despite conventional initial management with corticosteroids and splenectomy. The goal of treatment is not cure of the ITP, but only to achieve a safe platelet count, which is arbitrarily assumed to be greater than 30,000/mm3. The risk for major bleeding seems great only when the platelet count is less than 10,000/mm3. There is no accepted algorithm for management of patients with chronic refractory ITP. Recently, more targeted therapies including rituximab, anti-CD40 ligand and Campath-1H have been evaluated in refractory ITP. |
