CHANGES OF HEMORHEOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AFTER PLASMA PERFUSION USING A TRYPTOPHAN-POLYVINYL ALCOHOL ADSORBER LEADING TO CLINICAL IMPROVEMENT IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM MACULOPATHY
Ra. Widder et al., CHANGES OF HEMORHEOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AFTER PLASMA PERFUSION USING A TRYPTOPHAN-POLYVINYL ALCOHOL ADSORBER LEADING TO CLINICAL IMPROVEMENT IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM MACULOPATHY, Blood purification, 16(1), 1998, pp. 15-21
Background: Selective adsorption is an extracorporeal treatment able t
o reduce high-molecular-weight proteins and lipids. We evaluated its e
fficacy in lowering hemorheological parameters to achieve a better mic
rocirculation of the retina. Patients and Methods: Ten patients suffer
ing from maculopathies of various origin underwent a selective plasma
adsorption procedure using the TR-350. Plasma and whole blood viscosit
y, erythrocyte aggregation and proteins and lipids were determined bef
ore and 24 h after therapy. Results: Selective adsorption therapy redu
ced the high-molecular-weight proteins and lipids. Plasma viscosity, s
tandardized whole blood viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation were sig
nificantly lowered to 87, 88 and 65%, respectively, of their values pr
ior to treatment. An improvement of visual acuity was achieved in 6/10
patients. Minor side effects were noted in 2/10 patients. Conclusions
: Selective adsorption using the TR-350 adsorber is a safe technique,
showing a high impact on blood theology. The changes of hemorheologica
l parameters led to clinical improvement in 6/10 patients suffering fr
om retinal disorders.