title: Therapeutic apheresis of immune diseases in nephrology department.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The clinical efficacy of therapeutic apheresis is still controversial. We undertook a retrospective review of apheresis treatment to ascertain its safety and efficacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed 31 patients (13 male, 18 female). Plasmapheresis was performed on 7 patients with hematologic disorders, 5 patients with neurologic disorders, 6 patients with systemic diseases, and 3 patients with Lyell syndrome. Immunoadsorption onto protein A sepharose was evaluated as rescue therapy in 7 patients. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis was performed on 3 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were five mortalities due to serious complications of their primary disease. Most complications were mild such as hypotension and hypocalcemia. Two patients who received LDL apheresis had severe anaphylactic reactions. Apheresis was effective in the remaining 24 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The therapeutic apheresis consists of a continuously improving therapeutic method for diseases with high mortality and morbidity, especially in cases with poor outcome by using current medications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Visvardis
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Manou
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Griveas
authors.forename: Dafni
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meimaridou
authors.forename: Efstathios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mitsopoulos
authors.forename: Parthena
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kyriklidou
authors.forename: Dorothea
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papadopoulou
authors.forename: Evdoxia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ginikopoulou
authors.forename: Lora
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rottstein
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sakellariou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001781:Blood Component Removal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009398:Nephrology; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016060:Sorption Detoxification; D016896:Treatment Outcome