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. 1979 Nov 10;2(6199):1186–1187. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.6199.1186

Haemorrheological response to plasma exchange in Raynaud's syndrome.

A J Dodds, M J O'Reilly, C J Yates, L T Cotton, P T Flute, J A Dormandy
PMCID: PMC1597235  PMID: 519354

Abstract

Eight patients with Raynaud's syndrome were treated by weekly plasma exchange for four weeks using a Haemonetics Model 30 Blood Processor. The mean whole-blood viscosity at a shear rate of 0.77/s was significantly lower after treatment, and the mean index of red-cell deformability was significantly improved. In four patients studied serially the mean percentage fall in whole-blood viscosity after a single plasma exchange was 49% at 0.77/s but only 14% at 91/s. All patients noticed symptomatic improvement including healing of ischaemic digital ulcers. In six patients the number of digital arterial segments containing detectable blood flow was measured by directional Doppler; in all six the number increased. It is concluded that plasma exchange is an effective means of haemorrheological treatment and may be beneficial in patients with digital ischaemia.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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