Severe Guillain-Barré syndrome in aged patients: the effect of plasmapheresis

We report two aged patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), in whom the rapid progression necessitated the use of a respirator. The first case, a 72-year-old woman, needed a respirator on the 5th day after onset of illness and the second case, a 74-year-old woman, needed a respirator on the 23rd day. We treated the first patient with plasmapheresis; the second patient underwent plasmapheresis as well as a large dose of intravenous methylprednisolone. Both patients showed remarkable recovery and did not need the respirator from the early stages. It was suggested that plasmapheresis is beneficial for treatment of aged patients with severe GBS, who necessitate the support of a respirator, because it prevents the decline in functional status by shortening the period of hospitalization.