Background: 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. Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of rheopheresis in patients with microcirculatory diseases. Materials and Methods: 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 ethinylvinylalcohol 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: Rheopheresis is a safe, effective form of hemorheotherapy.
Ferrannini, M., Vischini, G., Staffolani, E., Scaccia, F., Miani, N., Parravano, M., et al. (2007). Rheopheresis in vascular diseases. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, 30(10), 923-929.
Rheopheresis in vascular diseases
SPLENDIANI, GIORGIO;DI DANIELE, NICOLA
2007-01-01
Abstract
Background: 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. Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of rheopheresis in patients with microcirculatory diseases. Materials and Methods: 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 ethinylvinylalcohol 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: Rheopheresis is a safe, effective form of hemorheotherapy.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.