[Plasmapheresis in the multomodality treatment of active respiratory sarcoidosis]

Eighty-four patients with different stages of respiratory sarcoidosis (RS) were examined. Plasmapheresis was performed during pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy. A comparative analysis was made in the patients from a control group who had no plasmapheresis sessions. The findings have indicated that it is expedient to use plasmapheresis at all stages of active respiratory sarcoidosis. The best results were obtained in young patients with sarcoidosis of intrathoracic lymph nodes and the lung (Stage II). Plasmapheresis promoted a decreased process activity as improved health status in the patients, normalized laboratory parameters, a rapid involution of changes in the bronchopulmonary apparatus, which allowed the doses of corticosteroids to be substantially reduced in the basic therapy.