| Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of early therapeutic plasmapheresis in severely affected patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Patients between 16 to 70 years of age, with GBS according to NINCDS criteria, in stage > or = 3 of Huges severity score and with less than 7 days of onset of symptoms were admitted for therapeutic plasmapheresis. All patients completed a total of five sessions of plasma exchange every other day using 25% albumin and saline in a 1:1 proportion. Follow-up was performed for 6 months. Friedman and Wilcoxon tests were done to establish differences within groups. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients were admitted to the study. The time span between onset of symptoms and admission to the study was 4 days (median). Fourteen (41%) required mechanical ventilation. Clinical progression of the syndrome was observed during the first two sessions of plasma-pheresis. Improvement in motor function by Huges score was observed only after fourth session of plasma exchange (p < 0.05). Two patients did not improve, and one died. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical improvement in GBS during early therapeutic plasmapheresis occurs only after the fourth session of plasma exchange. |
| Authors | Angélica Carbajal-Ramírez, Jorge Alberto Castañón-González, Juan Osvaldo-Talavera, María Luisa de la Torre-Nieto, Marco Antonio León-Gutiérrez
(Affiliation: Servicio de Neurología, Dr. Bernardo Sepúlveda G. del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, IMSS, México, D.F.)
|
| Journal | Gaceta médica de México
(Gac Med Mex)
2002 Nov-Dec
Vol. 138
Issue 6
Pg. 527-31
ISSN: 0016-3813 Mexico |
| Vernacular Title | Plasmaféresis en el síndrome de Guillain-Barré. |
| PMID | 12532617
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article)
|
| Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Female
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome
(therapy)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Plasmapheresis
|
