[Use of plasmapheresis in intensive therapy of acute steroid-resistant rejection reaction in renal transplants].

For many years the treatment of steroid-resistant rejection (SSR) remains a common problem od renal transplantation. We used plasmapheresis (PPH) in the treatment of SRR in 29 renal transplant recipients. All patients had progressive deterioration of renal function and compatible biopsy histology. The first group (15 patients) was administered PPH with methylprednisolone (MP). The second group (14 patients) was treated by intravenous MP. There was no significant difference in the time of beginning and severity of rejection. In the PPH group the results were better: a significant increase in SSR reversion was attained (73.3%) in comparison with the control (42.8%), the number of grafts lost during the first year was less (26.7 versus 57.2%). Better results were observed in patients with high levels of serum anti-HLA antibodies. Their transplants functioned well during 12 months after SSR. Hence, PPH can be used in patients with SSR with high levels of anti-HLA antibodies.