Short and longterm experience with plasmapheresis in connective tissue diseases

Plasmapheresis has been performed in eleven cases with connective tissue diseases, three with systemic lupus erythematosus, three with mixed connective tissue disease and five with rheumatoid arthritis. Plasmapheresis was in all cases instituted as an additional therapy during disease activity which was not under control with conventional modes of therapy. The best results were obtained in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis complicated with vasculitis. In mixed connective tissue disease with severe Raynaud's phenomenon, no striking and lasting results were obtained. Plasmapheresis seems to be a valuable adjunct in the management of acute exacerbation of connective tissue disease, especially when it is associated with drugs which can block antibody rebound.