Tareq Abadl: The Critical Role of ADAMTS13 Activity Testing in Diagnosing TTP
Tareq Abadl, Medical Laboratory Specialist and Director of the Blood Bank at Dr. Abdelkader Al-Mutawakkil Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“ADAMTS13 Activity Test
What is it?
A laboratory test that measures the activity of the enzyme ADAMTS13, which cleaves ultra-large von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers into smaller, less thrombogenic fragments.
What does it detect?
Primarily used to diagnose:
- Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)
A rare but life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy characterized by:
- Severe thrombocytopenia
- Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
- Neurologic symptoms
- Renal dysfunction
- Fever
Normal Reference Range:
ADAMTS13 activity: ~50–150%
(May vary slightly depending on the laboratory and assay method)
Key Diagnostic Point:
Low ADAMTS13 activity less than 10% – Strongly diagnostic of TTP
The deficiency may be:
- Immune-mediated (autoantibodies against ADAMTS13)
- Congenital (hereditary deficiency)
Why is this test critical?
- TTP is not diagnosed by routine coagulation tests
- Delayed diagnosis can be fatal
- Plasma exchange (PLEX) must be started immediately when TTP is suspected.
Think TTP if you see:
- Decreased Platelets
- Elevated LDH
- Decreased Haptoglobin
- Normal PT / aPTT
Suspect TTP and order ADAMTS13 activity urgently.”
Find more posts featuring Tareq Abadl on Hemostasis Today.
-
May 23, 2026, 11:21Dip Ghosh: How CPDA-1 Keeps Transfusions Safe and Effective
-
May 23, 2026, 08:15Alexander Krupp: Asundexian Receives Priority Review Designation from China‘s NMPA
-
May 23, 2026, 07:59Toward a Dedicated Framework for MIg-Driven Hemostatic Disorders – JTH
-
May 23, 2026, 07:53Ankit Panthari: Can Haemophilia Serve as A Health System Model for Other Rare Diseases in India?
-
May 23, 2026, 07:43Ted Roh: Indonesia’s Plasma Fractionation Plant Wins Social Infrastructure Deal of the Year at the IJGlobal Awards 2025
-
May 23, 2026, 07:36Angie Read: Stories of Strength and Resilience on The Latest Episode of Stroke Sisters
-
May 23, 2026, 07:30Ozlem Fidanci: Reflections From WHA79 on the Future of Stroke Care
-
May 23, 2026, 07:21Ney Carter Borges: Where the Benefit Appears in Dual Antiplatelet Therapy
-
May 23, 2026, 05:38SIUH Advances Precision Stroke Care with Vena MicroAngioscope – Northwell Health