Rheopheresis and its Use in the Treatment of Diseases with Impaired Microcirculation. A Review

Rheopheresis ranks among apheretic methods. It is a selective, extra-corporeal double cascade filtration treatment. First, the plasma is separated from blood elements in extra-corporeal circulation by passing through membrane filter. The plasma is then filtrated through the second filter in order to remove proteins with a high molecular mass, e.g. lipids, fibrinogen, α2-macroglobulin, von Willebrand factor, immunoglobulin IgM. The purified plasma is then returned together with the blood elements back to the patient. The aim of the procedure is to improve the microcirculation and rheological properties of the blood. Rheopheresis is well established method for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, acute sensorineural hearing loss, calciphylaxis, systemic sclerosis or peripheral vascular disease.