Plasmapheresis in clinical medicine.

Large-volume plasma exchange can now be rapidly and safely done using cell separator technology. Significant depletion of immunoglobulins and immune complexes can be achieved by repeated intensive plasmapheresis, but sustained depletion of these constituents requires concomitant immunosuppressive therapy. Plasmapheresis appears to work in some disorders by removing pathogenic antibodies, but other mechanisms of action have been postulated. It is the treatment of choice for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and for the hyperviscosity syndrome due to macroglobulinemia. Apheresis can be useful in the treatment of many other disorders, most notably myasthenia gravis, glomerulonephritis associated with hemoptysis (Goodpasture's syndrome), refractory systemic lupus erythematosus, cryoglobulinemia and immune cytopenic disorders.