Thrombotic microangiopathy with acquired deficiency in ADAMTS 13 activity in lung transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND

Thrombotic microangiopathy may develop after solid organ transplantation, but it is usually not associated with severe deficiency in von Willebrand factor-cleaving metalloprotease (ADAMTS 13) activity.

METHODS

We present the cases of two lung transplant recipients who experienced a thrombotic microangiopathy associated with an acquired severe (<5%) deficiency in ADAMTS 13 activity.

RESULTS

A major feature of both cases was the occurrence of a diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

Our two cases of lung transplant patients, with thrombotic microangiopathy related to an acquired ADAMTS 13 deficiency recipients, confirm that this mechanism may also be involved in the pathogenesis of thrombotic microangiopathy developing after solid organ transplantation. Therefore, we consider that ADAMTS 13 activity should be assessed on a systematic basis in this setting.