[Plasma exchange and rheumatoid polyarthritis with vasculitis. Apropos of 6 case reports]

The authors present six cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated by vasculitis of varying clinical presentation: 2 cases of polyneuritis, 5 cases of skin lesions (dry gangrene, ulcers, purpura). The severity of the clinical picture required, in addition to the usual treatment (corticosteroids, immunosuppressants), plasma exchanges. A clinical stabilisation was obtained in every case with good tolerance. The development of a vasculitis would appear to be the prime indication for the use of plasma exchange in rheumatoid arthritis.