CHANGES IN INDICATIONS AND TECHNIQUES FOR PLASMA-EXCHANGE - CONTRIBUTION OF THE FRENCH-REGISTRY-OF-HEMAPHERESIS

The French Registry for Haemapheresis created in 1985 allows an analys is of the changing indications and techniques of plasma exchange, The data collection system has been improved since 1991 with the developme nt of a telematic network which greatly shortens the delay to data ana lysis. The 8-year report shows an increase in the use of the centrifug ation technique, with citrate anticoagulation alone, a very sharp decl ine in the use of plasma substitution with albumin alone largely repla ced by combined albumin, and no change in vascular access. Indications are now dominated by the constant increase in the use of plasma excha nge for neurological diseases, a relative stability in the field of ha ematology and a drop in the number of indications for connective tissu e diseases and nephrology. Advances in the technique have led to a dec line in complications observed earlier, The French Registry for Haemap heresis is the world's largest data base on plasma phoresis. Participa tion via telematic access is essential for further extension of the re gistry.