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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 923-929 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | International Journal of Artificial Organs |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 10 |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2007 |
Keywords
- AMD
- Membrane differential filtration
- PAOD
- Rheopheresis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics