Rheopheresis in vascular diseases

Endothelial dysfunction is a common condition in many microvascular diseases, such as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease (PAOD). Rheopheresis therapy improves ematic viscosity, shear stress and endothelial function while decreasing fibrinogen, LDL-choles...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of artificial organs 2007-10, Vol.30 (10), p.923-929
Main Authors: Ferrannini, M, Vischini, G, Staffolani, E, Scaccia, F, Miani, N, Parravano, M C, Louis, M M, Splendiani, G, Di Daniele, N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Hemofiltration - methods
Humans
Macular Degeneration - therapy
Male
Middle Aged
Peripheral Vascular Diseases - therapy
Treatment Outcome
Uremia - therapy
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Summary:Endothelial dysfunction is a common condition in many microvascular diseases, such as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease (PAOD). Rheopheresis therapy improves ematic viscosity, shear stress and endothelial function while decreasing fibrinogen, LDL-cholesterol and alpha-2-macroglobulin levels. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of rheopheresis in patients with microcirculatory diseases. Eight patients (7 male and 1 female) were treated with rheopheresis: 3 males were affected by AMD, 4 male and 1 female by uremia and PAOD. We used Membrane Differential Filtration (MDF) with an ethinylvinyl alcohol copolymer membrane as plasmafiltrator. Patients with AMD were treated once a week for ten weeks. Patients affected with PAOD were treated twice weekly for 3 weeks and then were placed on a once-a-week program. In all treated patients with AMD, visual acuity improved. In all patients affected with PAOD, we observed a complete resolution of pain; 3 out of 5 had a complete remission of ulcers. There was partial reduction of ulcers in the other patients and no adverse effects were observed. Rheopheresis is a safe, effective form of hemorheotherapy.
ISSN:0391-3988
1724-6040
DOI:10.1177/039139880703001010