Review of management of purpura fulminans and two case reports.

Department of Anaesthesia, Treliske Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, UK.

Purpura fulminans (PF) is a haemorrhagic condition usually associated with sepsis or previous infection. Features include tissue necrosis, small vessel thrombosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Gram-negative organisms are the commonest cause of the acute infectious type, which is often associated with multi-organ failure. An idiopathic variety, however, is often confined to the skin. The mortality rate has decreased with better treatment of secondary infections, supportive care and new treatments, but it remains a disabling condition often requiring major amputations. We describe two cases and review the various treatments for this condition.

PMID: 11573639 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]