Summary
A new plasma filter for membrane plasma separation was used in 10 patients with the following diagnoses: relapsing Guillain-Barré syndrome (one patient), multiple sclerosis (one patient), myasthenia gravis (two patients), cryoglobulinemia (two patients), rheumatoid arthritis (one patient) and psoriasis (three patients). In all patients but one the plasma flow was from 975 to 1,370 ml/h; extremely high levels of cryoglobulins were the cause of filter plugging during a single procedure. The composition of the effluent plasma was not significantly different from the patients’ plasma as regards protein electrophoresis and the levels of immune complexes, immunoglobulins and complement. No platelet activation or blood clotting within the processed blood was observed during 20 procedures. No elevation of lysozyme levels or changes in the osmotic fragility of the red blood cells were found, confirming the excellent biocompatibility of these new filters. The clinical results were consistent with the volumes of plasma exchanged and the clinical diagnoses.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Farrel P. C., Schindhelm K., Roberts C.G.: Membrane plasma separation. In:Sieberth H. G. (Ed.). Plasma exchange. F. K. Schattauer Verlag, Stuttgart-New York, 1980; p. 37.
Fassbinder W., Pletzer E., Ernst W., Baldamus C. A., Koch K. M.: Immune complex elimination by plasma separation with membrane filtration. In:Sieberth H. G. (Ed.), Plasma exchange. F. K. Schattauer Verlag, Stuttgart-New York, 1980; p. 107.
Garelli S., Valbonesi M., Codarri M., Camerone G.: Tasso sierico ed urinario del lisozima in malati ematologicit significato diagnostico e prognostico—G. ital. Chim. clin.5, 287, 1980.
Manca F., Migliorini P., Bombardieri S., Celada F.: An enzymatically active antigen-antibody probe to measure circulating immune complexes by competition. Use of theEscherichia coli β-galactosidase in the probe and of bovine conglutinin as the complement-binding reagent—Clin. Immunol. Immunopath.16, 131, 1980.
McLeod B. C., Viernes A., Sassetti R.: Complement activation by plasma separator membranes—Transfusion (Philad.)23, 143, 1988.
Ritchie R. F.: Theory and practice of automated nephelometry. In:Peeters H. H. (Ed.): Protides of the biological fluids. Pergamon Press, Oxford. New York, 1974.
Sieberth H. G., Glockner W. M., Hirsh H. H., Borberg H., Mahieu P.: Plasma separation in man—Artific. Organs3, 44, 1979.
Valbonesi M., Garelli S., Montani F., Cefis M., Florio G.: A simple and rapid test for osmotic fragility of red blood cells—Acta haemat. (Basel)69, 106, 1983.
Valbonesi M., Garelli S., Mosconi L., Zerbi D., Celano I.: Plasma exchange as a therapy for Guillain-Barré syndrome with immune complexes—Vox Sang. (Basel)38, 181, 1980.
Wu K. K., Hoak J. C.: A new method for the quantitative detection of platelet aggregates in patients with arterial insufficiency—Lancetii, 924, 1974.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Valbonesi, M., Garelli, S., Montani, F. et al. Evaluation of a new filter for membrane plasma separation. La Ricerca Clin. Lab. 13, 479–485 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02906930
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02906930