[Plasmapheresis in the treatment of diseases caused by immunologic pathology]

The authors discuss the results of the use of therapeutic plasmapheresis (290 sessions) in 56 patients with immunity-mediated diseases: hemorrhagic vasculitis, Goodpasture's syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, partial red cell aplasia, etc. Demonstrate the possibilities of the attainment of positive results provided plasmapheresis is included into the complex of therapeutic measures. Discuss the indications, criteria of the efficacy, and contraindications to plasmapheresis administration. Infer that the clinical data play the decisive role in the appraisal of the plasmapheresis efficacy. Recommend that intermittent plasmapheresis be widely used for the treatment of internal diseases.