%0 Review
%T Cryoglobulinemia and double-filtration plasmapheresis: Personal experience and literature review.
%A Naciri Bennani H
%A Banza AT
%A Terrec F
%A Noble J
%A Jouve T
%A Motte L
%A Malvezzi P
%A Rostaing L
%J Ther Apher Dial
%V 27
%N 1
%D Feb 2023
%M 35583180
%F 2.195
%R 10.1111/1744-9987.13885
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Cryoglobulinemia is defined as the presence of an abnormal immunoglobulin that may be responsible for vasculitis of small-caliber vessels. Apheresis can be used in order to temporarily eliminate circulating cryoglobulins. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of apheresis (double-filtration plasmapheresis-DFPP-) in symptomatic and/or severe cryoglobulinemias.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Four male patients presenting cryoglobulinemic vasculitis and who received DFPP sessions were included.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Their mean age was 57 ± 15 years. One patient had hepatitis-C virus (HCV)-related cryoglobulinemia and the other three patients were carriers of an IgM Kappa monoclonal gammopathy. Mean duration of follow-up was 15 ± 2 months. DFPP allowed healing of ulcerative skin lesions in the first patient and remission of nephrotic syndrome in the other patients after a median of 6(5-10) sessions.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>DFPP can be used safely in cryoglobulinemic-vasculitis and can be considered early to achieve a faster and sustained clinical-biological response.