[Plasmapheresis in neurology -- personal experience]

Since the time of its first therapeutic application in 1956 plasmapheresis has been accepted in neurology in the treatment of life-threatening conditions in autoimmune diseases. The own experience has based on 30 cases treated by this method: 15 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, 9 of myasthenia, 3 cases of polyneuropathies of unknown origin, 1 case of dermatomyositis, 1--Fischer syndrome, 1--multiple sclerosis. Twelve patients were in very serious condition with rapidly progressing deterioration. Plasmapheresis was carried out in the acute stage of the disease, possibly early. During one procedure 100-150% of plasma volume was exchanged. The therapeutic course comprised 4-5 procedures. The result was very good in 10 cases, and good in 16. In 3 cases no effect was obtained (Guillain-Barré syndrome and polyneuropathy) and one patient died (carcinomatous polyneuropathy). Plasmapheresis is the method of choice in serious neurological states in Guillain-Barré syndrome and myasthenia.