Abstract
Neurologists commonly use therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to treat a number of conditions. This concise review examines the most common neurologic indications for TPE. It focuses on Guillain-Barre' syndrome and myasthenia gravis and also the role of TPE in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, paraproteinemic polyneuropathy, Sydenham's chorea, and natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). As with any treatment, the proven efficacy, cost, side effects, and availability must be considered before initiation of therapy.
Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MeSH terms
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects
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Chorea / therapy
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Guillain-Barre Syndrome / therapy
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Humans
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Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / therapy
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Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / etiology
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Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / therapy
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Multiple Sclerosis / therapy
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Myasthenia Gravis / therapy
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Natalizumab
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Nervous System Diseases / therapy*
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Neuromyelitis Optica / therapy
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Paraproteinemias / therapy
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Plasma Exchange / adverse effects
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Plasma Exchange / methods*
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Plasma Exchange / trends
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Polyneuropathies / therapy
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Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / therapy
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
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Natalizumab