APPLICATION OF THERAPEUTIC PLASMA-EXCHANGE IN HEMATOLOGY

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was used in 146 patients with hemato logic disorders: hyperviscosity syndrome, 74; cryoglobulinemia, 53; po rphyria, 9; immune complex disease, 3; cold agglutinin disease, 1; hem olytic uremic syndrome, 1; autoimmune hemolytic anemia, 1; autoimmune thrombocytopenia, 1; autoimmune neutropenia, 1; Clq deficiency, 1; and secondary immunodeficiency, 1. It was shown that TPE applied in patie nts with hyperviscosity syndrome resulted in rapid reduction of parapr otein concentrations, and normalization or significant decrease of ser um viscosity associated with marked clinical improvement (regression o f neurologic, renal, hematologic, visual and other disturbances). Appl ication of TPE in patients with cryoglobulinemia resulted in plasma cr yoglobulin reduction and clear clinical effects (blood flow improvemen t, skin ulcer healing, reversal of impaired renal function and disappe arance of purpura and other abnormalities). Very good results were obt ained in patients with porphyria (decreased sensitivity to sunlight) a nd also in patients with Clq deficiency. Satisfactory clinical improve ment and better laboratory findings were also seen in patients with im mune complex disease, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune thromboc ytopenia and hemolytic uremic syndrome.