ISSN:
1432-0584
Keywords:
Plasmapheresis
;
Plasma exchange
;
Paraproteinemia
;
Multiple myeloma
;
Therapy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Indications, results, techniques, laboratory monitoring and complications of therapeutic plasmapheresis in patients with symptomatic paraproteinemia are reviewed. In paraproteinemia associated with severe complications plasmapheresis has been used successfully as an emergency treatment, as a treatment that reduces temporarily the paraprotein level until reduction of resynthesis is reached by cytotoxic therapy, or as a longterm adjuvant therapy in cases of slowly proliferating plasma-cytoma or lymphoma. Plasmapheresis has not been shown to influence the underlying malignant process. Paraprotein-related complications that can be reduced by plasmapheresis are hyperviscosity, hypervolemia, haemorrhagic diathesis, cryoglobulinemic symptoms, rapidly deteriorating renal insufficiency, visual impairment, and neurologic disturbances. Technically, largepored plasma filters have some advantage as compared to centrifugation techniques. Paraprotein-specific complications of therapeutic plasmapheresis are rare. As an ancillary treatment, therapeutic plasmapheresis has expanded the therapeutic tools in the management of paraproteinemia.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00320925
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