[Apheresis of euglobulins, cryoglobulins and the von Willebrand factor in vasculitis].

A method of apheresis of plasma euglobulin fraction, cryoglobulins and Willebrand factor was developed. In one session of plasmapheresis 1500-1700 ml of patient's plasma were removed, fractionated and returned. The method was used in 2 patients with immune complex vasculitides. In one of them the disease developed against a background of chronic active hepatitis, in the other patient it manifested itself in cryoglobulin- and cryofibrinogenemia. Clinical improvement was noted in both cases: the absence of myalgia, arthralgia, hemorrhagic eruption, and ulcerative-necrotic skin changes. The normalization of increased ristomycin-cofactor activity of Willebrand factor and CIC levels was noted in one case. A decrease in the content of plasma cryoglobulins, cryofibrinogen, and urine protein concentration (from 1.5 up to 0.03%) was noted in the other case. A possibility of the use of the method in other pathological conditions (DIC-syndrome, unstable angina, atherosclerotic angiopathy) accompanied by endothelial damage, was discussed. Willebrand factor multimers form complexes with low density lipoproteins therefore the removal of these complexes may be useful in the treatment of hypercholesteremia and atherosclerosis.