Indication for plasma exchange for systemic necrotizing vasculidities

Abstract

Plasma exchanges (PE) are a component of regimens prescribed to treat systemic necrotizing vasculidities. They are also part of the best therapeutic strategy for virus-induced vasculidities. The combination of antiviral agents and PE has proven efficacy against polyarteritis nordosa. This strategy is also effective for human immunodeficiency virus-associated vasculitis and, unlike cytotoxic agents, does not jeopardize the outcome of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Concerning the vasculitis seen in the context of hepatitis C virus-related cryoglobulinemia, PE contribute to better outcomes but, because of the poor efficacies of antiviral drugs, only about half of the patients achieve definitive recovery and relapses are frequent. The use of PE to treat antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculidities with severe renal insufficiency leads to improved renal function and thus fewer patients require dialysis. Although PE does not improve survival, their adjunction to corticosteroids and immunosuppressants for patients with alveolar hemorrhage could also limit the severity of this severe manifestation.