Biochemical and haemorheological findings during treatment of plasma cell dyscrasias by plasmaphaeresis or plasma exchange

Abstract

Biochemical and haemorheological findings on 10 patients with multiple myeloma and on one with cryoglobulinaemia undergoing plasmaphaeresis or plasma exchange are referred to. Renal failure was present in 7 subjects. After treatment an improvement of renal function was observed in all patients but one. Plasmaphaeresis and plasma exchange were able to reduce the value of plasma and blood viscosity, when it was abnormally high. The effect of the exchange of plasma on the laboratory findings of renal failure and on blood and plasma viscosity appears to be sufficiently ascertained in the present study. Plasma exchange was more efficient than plasmaphaeres is but the latter was free of any complication. The major indications are: acute renal failure, hyperproteinaemia, hyperviscosity. Benefits can also be obtained in the chronic course of disease when biochemical and rheological parameters are severely impaired.