Comparative evaluation of a heparin-citrate anticoagulation for LDL-apheresis in two primary apheresis systems.

Background: As COBE Spectra has been replaced in many parts of the world, we describe a new protocol for low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-apheresis performed on familial hypercholesterolemia patients for the Spectra Optia platform.

Methods: For all procedures, after administering a bolus of heparin of 2,500 U, 10,000 U of heparin added to a 600 ml ACD-A bag was used as anticoagulant (AC). In a first phase (A), 16 apheresis procedures with COBE Spectra using an inlet:AC ratio of 25:1 were compared to 18 LDL-apheresis treatments with Spectra Optia at split Inlet:AC ratios of 16:1/18:1 or 20:1/25:1.

The lower the better: target values after LDL-Apheresis and semi-selective LDL-elimination therapies.

Prior to 1980 the drug therapy of hereditary hypercholesterolaemia was, as compared to nowadays standards, rather limited. There was virtually no effective therapy for homozygous patients, though plasma exchange introduced in France and Britain, demonstrated the use-fullness of the introduction of apheresis techniques. Parallel to the improvement of cholesterol lowering drug therapy for heterozygous patients, apheresis was developed as therapeutic affinity chromatography since 1980 at the university of Cologne for both homozygous and therapy refractory heterozygous patients.

26 years of LDL--apheresis: a review of experience.

Since 1981, when LDL-Apheresis was introduced into the clinical routine at the University of Cologne as the first and so far only Apoprotein B specific LDL-cholesterol elimination technique, considerable experience has since then accumulated and has changed not only the operational technique but also extended the indications, the optimation of the target values, the introduction of supportive cholesterol lowering drug therapy, considerations of the potential pleiotropic mechanisms and the introduction of a quality control supported electronic data processing. Mild to moderate side effects range between 3% and 4.5%, whereas serious undesired reactions did not occur within 26 years with more than 80,000 treatments performed at Cologne and considerably more world wide.

Comparison of different Lp (a) elimination techniques: a retrospective evaluation.

Lipoprotein (a), abbreviated Lp (a), is accepted as a potential selective or additional risk factor for premature atherosclerosis. Though it may be considered to be closely related to low density lipoprotein, so far attempts to keep it under control with diet or cholesterol lowering medications have failed. Thus, extracorporeal elimination is the only effective treatment approach for patients with premature atherosclerosis.

Quo vadis haemapheresis. Current developments in haemapheresis.

The techniques of haemapheresis originated in the development of centrifugal devices separating cells from plasma and later on plasma from cells. Subsequently membrane filtration was developed allowing for plasma-cell separation. The unspecificity of therapeutic plasma exchange led to the development of secondary plasma separation technologies being specific, semi-selective or selective such as adsorption, filtration or precipitation.

Rheohaemapheresis of ophthalmological diseases and diseases of the microcirculation.

Blood rheology was considered to be of limited clinical importance, until extracorporeal technologies enabling the treatment of cellular and plasmatic hyperviscosity syndromes were introduced. However, a wide range of applications, mainly referring to rheologically determined diseases of the microcirculation exists but has so far hardly been taken into consideration. The extension of indications was due to modern technical developments leading to different approaches of secondary separation such as precipitation, ad- or absorption and filtration.

Small-scale extracorporeal photopheresis for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: a report of 3 cases.

Extracorporeal photopheresis is an accepted method for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and much progress has recently been achieved in therapy and understanding of its mechanism. In general large numbers of white blood cells are collected by a cell separator and irradiated in the presence of 8-MOP. In contrast to this practice, data from an animal model showed that as few as 0.

The effect of membrane differential filtration on the colloid osmotic pressure in patients with age-related macular degeneration: significance to visual function?

To investigate the effect of membrane differential filtration (MDF) on plasma colloid osmotic pressure (COP) and visual functions in age-related geographic macular degeneration (AMD). Ten consecutive patients with non-exudative AMD underwent one MDF cycle. Primary endpoint was COP.

Standardized ultrasound as a new method to induce platelet aggregation: evaluation, influence of lipoproteins and of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist tirofiban.

Most of the published studies concerning platelet aggregation were performed with chemical stimulation procedures, however, mechanical stimulation might be a better simulation of physiological activation of platelets. In order to evaluate the influence of ultrasound on platelet aggregation in vitro, we developed an ultrasound device in a standardized set-up, and we evaluated the influence of lipoproteins and the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor tirofiban on ultrasound induced platelet aggregation. A cylindrical shaped plastic test tube with 1 ml of platelet-rich plasma was placed in an ultrasound bath (35 kHz) for 5 s.

The current state of extracorporeal haemorheotherapy: from haemodilution via cascadefiltration to rheohaemapheresis.

Rheological therapy aims at an improvement of organ perfusion however, it has to be stressed that the tonus of the blood vessels also plays an important role for both the blood distribution and the rheology in the micro- and the macrocirculation. Conventional rheotherapy consists of attempts to influence nutrition and life style, to apply drugs such as purin derivatives, vasodilatating or defibrinising substances and hypervolaemic (using infusion therapy), hypovolaemic, e.g.

First experience with a ready-for-use rheohemapheresis system.

Rheohemapheresis is increasingly being used for the improvement of microcirculation in numerous diseases. The method is based on the constant-flow separation of plasma by a cell separator and the secondary filtration of plasma through a hollow-fiber membrane. A new CE-marked system has recently been launched for an improved continuous flow blood separator (dideco Excel Pro) that contains a connection kit between the cell separator and a secondary filter and software which includes differential filtration as a standard protocol.

The role of rheology in hemapheresis.

Rheological therapy attempts to favorably influence the blood flow mechanics for the treatment of diseases, mainly of the microcirculation but also of the macrocirculation. Hemapheresis, originally used only for the elimination of an excess of cellular or plasmatic components, was shown to also influence the hemorheology favorably. As extracorporeal therapy affects the rheology much more than conventional hemorheotherapy, not only cellular or plasmatic hyperviscosity syndromes but also many more diseases associated with organ perfusion problems due to diseases of the micro- and macrocirculation, especially in the elderly, were and are increasingly considered to be indicated.

Improvement of macular function by membrane differential filtration in diabetic retinopathy.

Background: Alterations of blood rheology are assumed to substantially contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Membrane differential filtration (MDF) is an extracorporeal treatment which is able to optimize rheological parameters by eliminating high molecular weight proteins and lipoproteins from the blood. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of repetitive MDF on visual function in diabetic retinopathy.

Influence of membrane differential filtration on the natural course of age-related macular degeneration: a randomized trial.

Purpose: Membrane differential filtration is able to optimize rheologic parameters by eliminating high molecular weight proteins and lipoproteins from the blood. Following the hypothesis that these changes result in an improvement of the microcirculation, the authors tested the efficacy of membrane differential filtration in improving visual function in patients with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).

Methods: Forty patients (40 eyes) were randomized into two groups.

Improvement of visual acuity in patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy after membrane differential filtration: a pilot study.

Background: Membrane differential filtration is an extracorporeal treatment procedure which eliminates high molecular weight proteins and lipids from the blood. This pilot study was initiated to investigate the short-term effects on blood rheology and visual function in patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy.

Methods: Six patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, clinically significant macular edema (five patients, nine eyes) and inactive proliferative diabetic retinopathy (one patient, one eye) underwent a single treatment with a hollow fiber secondary plasma filter.

Results of an open, longitudinal multicenter LDL-apheresis trial.

The German Multicenter LDL-Apheresis Trial showed that a partial regression of tendon xanthomas could be obtained applying LDL-apheresis without cholesterol lowering drug therapy over a period of 3 years, whereas secondary prevention of coronary heart disease was generally observed in the mainly heterozygous patients. As there were considerably fewer homozygous patients and the average age of the heterozygous patients in this study was higher compared to the phase I trial regression may well occur with this therapy although it appears to be restricted to young patients only. If the additional information obtained from continuation of the treatment these patients and from other patients under going regular LDL-apheresis for up to 16 years is also taken into consideration the assumption appears to be well supported that interventions such as a second PTCA or a second coronary bypass operation can be avoided.

[Modification of vision by change in rheologic parameters in senile macular degeneration through membrane differential filtration--initial results of a randomized study].

Background: Membrane differential filtration (MDF) is known to optimize rheological parameters by eliminating high molecular weight proteins und lipoproteins from the blood and was shown to influence ocular perfusion parameters. Following the hypothesis that these changes may influence the natural course of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) we tested their efficacy in improving visual function in these patients in a randomized trial.

Patients And Methods: 20 patients (36 eyes) were randomized into two groups.

Changes of hemorheological and biochemical parameters after plasma perfusion using a tryptophan-polyvinyl alcohol adsorber leading to clinical improvement in patients suffering from maculopathy.

Background: Selective adsorption is an extracorporeal treatment able to reduce high-molecular-weight proteins and lipids. We evaluated its efficacy in lowering hemorheological parameters to achieve a better microcirculation of the retina.

Patients And Methods: Ten patients suffering from maculopathies of various origin underwent a selective plasma adsorption procedure using the TR-350.

Sequential treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome with extracorporeal elimination and intravenous immunoglobulin.

Plasma exchange and administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IgG) are established treatments for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Elimination of postulated pathogenetic factors by plasma exchange or selective adsorption treatment using affinity-type adsorption columns and subsequent immunomodulation by intravenous IgG may provide a more effective treatment. Forty-five patients with acute GBS were prospectively examined using a clinical score.

[Clinically pure motor variant of Guillain-Barré polyneuritis. Report of 3 cases].

We report three patients with severe Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). On clinical examination, no sensory deficit was elicited. Electromyography (EMG) and motor nerve conduction velocity (NCV) studies were indicative of an axonal lesion.