Rheopheresis for Sudden Hearing Loss (SHL)

Abstract

Rheopheresis has met an increasing interest and application in different disease conditions affecting microcirculation. Its last applications are for the management of Macular and Cochlear disorders. The sudden hearing loss syndrome is a condition that affects 20 out of 100000 persons per year, reduces the patient's social interaction and quality of life. It is associated with vascular and coagulation risk factors and it is considered as a result of local hypoperfusion secondary both to inflammatory and dysimmune conditions determining inadequate NO release and endothelial dysfunction. Rheopheresis treatment is a new approach which brings to satisfactory clinical results. Cascade filtration, heparin induced lipid precipitation and conventional plasma exchange are equally effective, and only 2 sessions are required for producing long lasting benefits. Our experience is with 60 patients, 90% of which getting from partial to complete recovery after treatment as measured by pure tone audiometry.