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New directions in plasma exchange.

AbstractPURPOSE OF REVIEW:
This review examines the literature published on therapeutic plasma exchange during 2002. The review was performed by searching Medline for pertinent articles.
RECENT FINDINGS:
One hundred thirty articles were identified, of which 11 are reviewed. During the period, reviews of the use of therapeutic plasma exchange for managing Guillain-Barré syndrome and myasthenia gravis were published. A large randomized trial of the use of plasma exchange to treat sepsis also appeared. Finally, a large case series of the use of plasma exchange in Wegener granulomatosis was published.
SUMMARY:
The literature confirms the use of plasma exchange for Guillain-Barré syndrome but suggests that inadequate evidence exists to support its use for long-term improvement in myasthenia gravis. The study of patients with severe sepsis suggests that plasma exchange may benefit a subset of patients, those with abdominal infections. Finally, plasma exchange for Wegener granulomatosis with severe renal dysfunction appears not to offer any benefit over immunosuppressive therapy.
AuthorsJ L Winters, A A Pineda
JournalCurrent opinion in hematology (Curr Opin Hematol) Vol. 10 Issue 6 Pg. 424-8 (Nov 2003) ISSN: 1065-6251 [Print] United States
PMID14564172 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
Topics
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (therapy)
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome (therapy)
  • Humans
  • Myasthenia Gravis (therapy)
  • Plasma Exchange (trends)
  • Sepsis (therapy)
  • Treatment Outcome

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