Plasma exchange in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Two cases of adult-onset idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), refractory to conventional therapy, were treated. Because of recent successful reports of plasma exchange in ITP, this technique was performed on each patient. In both cases, the therapy was unsuccessful in controlling their disease, suggesting that in refractory adult-onset ITP, plasma exchange may not be an effective mode of therapy.