[The role of plasmapheresis in the treatment of primary and secondary cryoglobulinemia].

The data on monoclonal or mixed cryoglobulinaemia patients admitted to Pavia University's 1st Medical Division since 1970 were examined. Complications included peripheral microangiopathies caused by immune complexes and especially kidney lesions of varying severity caused by immune complexes precipitated in the basal membrane. Although the course of the condition was ameliorated in all patients given immunosuppressive treatment alone, this could not prevent the appearance of progressively worsening kidney conditions.