Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is a challenging thrombotic diathesis which requires prompt diagnosis and therapeutic intervention in order to avoid life-threatening consequences. There are two forms of TTP, congenital and acquired, with the acquired form constituting about 90% of cases. Both forms are associated with a deficiency of ADAMTS-13, a metalloproteinase enzyme responsible for cleaving ultra-large von Willebrand factor (uLvWF), preventing its pathologic accumulation. Within the last year, many of the diverse and serious effects of the COVID-19 virus have come to recognition, with some of the most dire consequences involving devastating vascular and hematologic complications. As with many viruses, it seems that the endothelium and the vasculature are often prime targets.Here, we report a case of a 30 year old male who was diagnosed with TTP approximately one week after a positive COVID-19 test result. He responded appropriately to plasma exchange (PLEX), caplacizumab, and steroids.We believe it is important to investigate a potential link between these two conditions, as TTP has significant morbidity and mortality risk if left unattended. We hope that our report will contribute to a better understanding of this potential link.

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Sickle cell anemia patients often present to the hospital with acute vaso-occlusive pain crisis. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to, chest pain, abdominal pain, and musculoskeletal pain. These symptoms are brought about due to the pathology of the disease. Abnormal hemoglobin S causes red blood cells to band together, otherwise known as "sickling." These patients also often present with very low hemoglobin levels on initial evaluation. In most cases, packed red blood cell transfusions are needed in order to replenish these patient's functional hemoglobin supply. Unfortunately, transfusing sickle cell patients can lead to an unwanted consequence, that of hyperhemolysis syndrome, in which blood transfusions prompt further hemolysis of the already sickled red blood cells. When this complication arises, caution must be exercised in deciding the next steps of treatment.

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2 Background: The standard of care for non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA) is concurrent chemoradiotherapy with high rates of local control. There is some thought that perhaps chemotherapy can be omitted for the earliest stages without worse outcomes. We used the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to identify predictors of chemotherapy receipt or omission to assess the impact on outcomes. Methods: We queried the NCDB from 2004-2016 for patients with cT1N0M0 SCCA treated non-operatively with radiation with and without chemotherapy and at least 2 months of follow-up. Logistic regression was used to generate predictors of chemotherapy use. Cox regression identified predictors of survival. Propensity matching was done to help account for indication bias. Results: We identified 2,959 patients meeting eligibility, of which 8% (n = 237) were treated without chemotherapy. The vast majority (n = 2722, 92%) were recorded as having multi-agent chemotherapy. Median radiation dose was 50.4 Gy (IQR 45-54) in 28 fractions (IQR 49.4-59.4) with chemotherapy and 54.0 Gy (IQR 49.4-59.4) in 30 fractions (IQR 25-33) in those who had chemotherapy omitted. Predictors of omission of chemotherapy were older age (OR 0.66, 95% CI [0.49-0.90], P = 0.0087), higher comorbidity score (OR 0.62, 95% CI [0.38-0.99], P = 0.0442), African American race (OR 0.57, 95% CI [0.36-0.90], P = 0.0156) and more remote year of treatment (OR 1 1 for years 2004-2006). Predictors of survival were younger age (HR 1.73 for age > 58 years, 95% CI [1.41-2.11], P < 0.001), multi-agent chemotherapy use (HR 0.48, 95% CI [0.38-0.62], P < 0.0001), higher income (HR 0.57, 95% CI [0.40-0.81], P = 0.0016), female gender (HR 0.68, 95% CI [0.57-0.82], P = 0.0016), and private insurance (HR 0.54, 95% CI [0.34-0.87], P = 0.0104). After propensity matching, overall survival at 120 months for patients treated with and without chemotherapy was 86% and 65%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Chemotherapy is utilized the majority of the time in early stage SCCA. Being mindful of the limitations of a retrospective database analysis, our results suggest an association with worse survival outcomes when chemotherapy is omitted.