Plasmapheresis for rheumatic diseases in the twenty-first century: take it or leave it?
As is often the case, one cannot give a simple answer to the question: plasmapheresis-take it or leave it? A thorough review of the current data on the possible mechanisms of action, the efficacy, and the safety of plasmapheresis in rheumatic diseases demonstrates that the answer depends on the disease and the patients involved.
Braun-Moscovici
Yolanda
Y
UCLA Medical School, Rheumatology Division, Los Angeles, California 98101, USA.
Furst
Daniel E
DE
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009080:Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010956:Plasmapheresis / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome