Apheresis in rheumatoid arthritis
Hamblin, T.J.
International Journal of Artificial Organs 7(4): 229-230
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0391-3988 PMID: 6386698 Document Number: 238457
Plasmapheresis was first introduced as a means of treating the rheumatic diseases in 1976. The rationale of its use was the removal of circulating immune complexes, thus preventing their deposition in the tissue. In rheumatoid arthritis circulating immune complexes do indeed occur and are responsible for some of the serious complications such as vasculitis. Since the T cells are implicated in tissue damage, lymphapheresis and lymphoplasmapheresis were introduced with various success rates. Controlled trials in rheumatoid arthritis have found no value for intensive plasmapheresis, limited value for lymphapheresis and possible, though suspect, value for lymphoplasmapheresis.