title: Changes of hemorheological and biochemical parameters after plasma perfusion using a tryptophan-polyvinyl alcohol adsorber leading to clinical improvement in patients suffering from maculopathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Selective adsorption is an extracorporeal treatment able to reduce high-molecular-weight proteins and lipids. We evaluated its efficacy in lowering hemorheological parameters to achieve a better microcirculation of the retina.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients suffering from maculopathies of various origin underwent a selective plasma adsorption procedure using the TR-350. Plasma and whole blood viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation and proteins and lipids were determined before and 24 h after therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Selective adsorption therapy reduced the high-molecular-weight proteins and lipids. Plasma viscosity, standardized whole blood viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation were significantly lowered to 87, 88 and 65%, respectively, of their values prior 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 rheology. The changes of hemorheological parameters led to clinical improvement in 6/10 patients suffering from retinal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Köln, Germany.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Widder
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brunner
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Engels
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Borberg
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oette
mesh_terms: D001809:Blood Viscosity; D004903:Erythrocyte Aggregation; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010956:Plasmapheresis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D014364:Tryptophan
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D014364:Tryptophan; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol