Rheopheresis in vascular diseases.

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 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.
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.