New Considerations in the Treatment of the Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome

Abstract

The hemolytic-uremic-syndrom (HUS), first described by Gasser et al. in 1955, is characterized by the triad of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure (1). The question about etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of the HUS has not yet been answered definitely. Intravascular coagulation has been accused to play an important role in HUS, and therefore heparin has been used extensively. The clinical results though have not been encouraging (2). We apply in HUS antiplatelet drugs, because our findings support the data of Harker and Slichter (3) of the presence of an isolated consumption rather than a consumption of coagulation factors (4). Before antiplatelet therapy we try to lyse the glomerular and tubular micro-thormbi with streptokinase (Table 1). Our results on 6 patients have been published before (5). In the following we are presenting the data on 11 patients, who fulfilled the criteria of HUS as mentioned above.