Beneficial Effects of Plasma Exchange in Severe Guillain-Barre Syndrome

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 9(4); 1991 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1991;9(4): 445-450.

중증의 Guillain-Barre 증후군에 대한 혈장교환술의 효과

김제, 이애영,김재문,정진상

충남대학교 신경과.

Beneficial Effects of Plasma Exchange in Severe Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Jei Kim, M.D., Ae Young Lee, M.D., Jae Moon Kim, M.D., Chin Sang Chung, M.D.,

Dep. Of Neurology, Chungnam National University

Abstract

We evaluated clinical effects and side effects of plasma exchange(PE) in patients with severe Guillain-Barre syndrome(GBS). Two plasma volumes were exchanged 3 times on an alternate-day base(total 6 plasma volumes) in eight patients with severe GBS. Exchange fluid used was fresh frozen plasma(FFP) or human albumin. Intervals taken for patients to walk with support were significantly shorter than eight control patients. GBS of the similar grades(p <0.05). Effects were not related to age, sex, or initial CSF protein levels. After PE, thrombocytopenia followed in all patients, most remarkably after the first PE. Degree of platelet reduction correlated significantly with the time taken for each PE and the plasma flow rate during PE. But they resolved spontaneously in all cases within 2 to 11 days after the last PE. Other side effects included urticaria, paresthesia dyspnea, hemorrhagic spots on the skin, and chilly sense, all of which were transient. These results suggest that PE could promote early improvement in severe GBS with relative safety, if performed early in the course of the illness.