High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Four patients with severe chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura who were refractory to all conventional therapy for that disorder were initially seen with either refractory bleeding or the necessity for an operation. We treated each of these patients with intravenous human serum immunoglobulin, and three of the four patients had a rapid and substantial increase in their platelet counts. This new method for ameliorating chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura deserves further study and consideration.