Efficacy of granulocytapheresis and leukocytapheresis for the treatment of microscopic polyangiitis.

Abstract

We evaluated the efficacy of granulocytaperesis and leukocytapheresis for the treatment of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) and lung hemorrhage caused by microscopic polyangiitis. Three patients with RPGN were treated by granulocytapheresis (GCAP) and five patients with RPGN were treated by leukocytapheresis (LCAP). The prednisolone dose was 0.4 +/- 0.2 g/kg/day (mean +/- SD; range 0.2-0.8 g/kg/day). Pre-treatment serum creatinine was 3.2 +/- 1.4 mg/dL (1.4-5.1 mg/dL). The patients were followed for a mean period of 15 +/- 6 months (6-23 months). Renal function improved in five of the eight RPGN patients. Three lung hemorrhage episodes in two different patients were treated with GCAP and one lung hemorrhage episode was treated with LCAP combined with various doses of corticosteroids. All four lung hemorrhage episodes were ameliorated. We concluded that combined therapy of GCAP or LCAP and corticosteroids is effective for the treatment of RPGN and lung hemorrhage due to microscopic polyangiitis.

• Authors: Midori Hasegawa, Nahoko Kawamura, Masamitsu Murase, Shigehisa Koide, Hiroko Kushimoto, Kazutaka Murakami, Makoto Tomita, Yoshiyuki Hiki, Masahiko Shikano, Satoshi Sugiyama
• Journal: Therapeutic apheresis and dialysis : official peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (Ther Apher Dial) Vol. 8 Issue 3 Pg. 212-6 (Jun 2004) ISSN: 1744-9979 [Print] Australia
• PMID: 15154873 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Cytapheresis (methods)
• Female
• Glomerulonephritis (therapy)
• Granulocytes (cytology, physiology)
• Hemorrhage (etiology)
• Humans
• Leukapheresis (methods)
• Lung (pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Treatment Outcome
• Vasculitis (complications, therapy)