[Plasmapheresis in the combined treatment of the kidney transplant rejection crisis].

A total of 15 recipients of renal allotransplant were subjected to 41 sessions of gravitation plasmapheresis after immunosuppressive treatment with sandimmun, methypred, and azathioprine performed for prevention of acute steroid-resistant rejections. The efficacy of plasmapheresis was proved in 6 patients with early and 4 patients with advanced stages of the rejection crises. The authors developed the criteria for the assessment of plasmapheresis efficacy which should be considered for defining the optimal treatment regimens: the time-course of diuresis, the number of leukocytes, the plasma levels of creatinine and circulating immune complexes, the blood levels of IgG, IgA, IgM and the number of active rosette-forming cells, the blood serum complement activity (measured at least 24 hrs after the session).