Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L Cazzato.
Yield and collection efficiency are two important and strictly related aspects of an apheresis system. We have examined the various formulas, dwelling upon a few particular aspects of the collection of platelets, granulocytes and stem cells.
Plasma exchange (PE) was performed in 8 of 14 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) PE was instituted as an additional therapy during active disease in patients who did not respond to conventional therapy. The best results were obtained in plasmapherized patients; in fact, immune complex serum levels disappeared rapidly, whereas anti-DNA antibodies decreased slowly. The changes observed indicate that PE may be beneficial, especially when it is associated with drugs that can block antibody rebound. A variety of "technical factors" may influence PE therapy which therefore must be monitored appropriately.
Plasma-exchange was used in 10 patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia. The procedure was used as a primary therapeutic tool to reduce cryoglobulin levels, and in combination with prednisone and cytotoxic drugs. The results show that PE alone is detrimental, although it may be an important adjunct to conventional therapy in MCG with progressive deterioration in the clinical condition, and in those patients who do not respond to drug therapy alone. The weak response to PE in MCG may be due to many technical variables, but mainly to the low percentage of circulating cryoglobulins removed.