[Treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda using plasma exchange]

Results in the treatment of 5 patients with porphyria cutanea tarda by plasma exchange are presented. The procedure was applied every second or third day, 2-4 procedures in total. Saline solution, 5% or 12% albumin were used as plasma substitutes. The treatment lead to rapid fall in urine porphyrin level and improved clinical picture. The treatment was continued ambulatorily by 60 mg of vitamin E tbl. daily and Essentiale tbl. 3 X 1, which lead to further progressive fall in porphyrin level and improved clinical picture. In one patient citrate intoxication occurred which was prevented by Calcium Sandosten ampl. The importance of this method in the treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda and indications for this treatment are discussed.