Hemostasis Today

Abdul Mannan: IVIG in ITP – When a Temporary Response Is a Success
Oct 31, 2026, 12:01

Abdul Mannan: IVIG in ITP – When a Temporary Response Is a Success

Abdul Mannan, Consultant Haematologist, Director Haemophilia Centre, Haematology Lab Lead at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, shared a post LinkedIn about a recent article by James B. Bussel and Jory M. Hirshman, published in Haematologica, adding:

“The platelet count rises after IVIG, then falls again two weeks later.

Has treatment failed?

Not necessarily.

In ITP, IVIG is often given to obtain a rapid, temporary platelet rise. The immediate aim may be to control bleeding, prepare for a procedure, or buy time for another treatment to work.

If that goal was achieved, IVIG may have succeeded, even though the response did not last.

A falling count still needs reassessment, particularly if bleeding returns or a procedure remains pending. Repeated rescue treatment should also prompt a discussion about sustained disease control.

The distinction matters when counselling patients: a platelet response, ongoing control, and treatment-free remission are different outcomes.

A transient response can be a successful rescue.”

Title: Where would immune thrombocytopenia be without intravenous gammaglobulin?

Authors: James B. Bussel, Jory M. Hirshman

Abdul Mannan: IVIG in ITP - When a Temporary Response Is a Success

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