[Development of indications and techniques of plasma exchange. Contribution of the French Registry of Hemapheresis. Group Coopératif Français].

The French Registry for Haemapheresis created in 1985 allows an analysis of the changing indications and techniques of plasma exchange. The data collection system has been improved since 1991 with the development of a telematic network which greatly shortens the delay to data analysis. The 8-year report shows an increase in the use of the centrifugation technique, with citrate anticoagulation alone, a very sharp decline in the use of plasma substitution with albumin alone largely replaced by combined albumin, and no change in vascular access. Indications are now dominated by the constant increase in the use of plasma exchange for neurological diseases, a relative stability in the field of haematology and a drop in the number of indications for connective tissue diseases and nephrology. Advances in the technique have led to a decline in complications observed earlier. The French Registry for Haemapheresis is the world's largest data base on plasma phoresis. Participation via telematic access is essential for further extension of the registry.