[Splenic perfusion in the combined treatment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

Twenty patients suffering from severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) underwent 52 sessions of splenoperfusion (SP) by means of extracorporeal perfusion of the patient's blood through isolated porcine spleen. It got prepared directly before the perfusion. The organ was obtained from a healthy animal in sterile conditions, washed from the blood after cannulation of the artery and vein. The patient's blood was pumped from the peripheral vein to the spleen artery. After passing through the splenic vascular bed the blood outflew from the spleen vein into the opposite peripheral vein of the patient. SP was followed by positive clinical changes: normalization of body temperature, regression of skin symptoms and articular syndrome, reduction of lymphadenopathy, hepato- and splenomegaly. The tests indicated inhibition of SLE activity. Sp-related immunocorrective effect was also present as shown by depression of B-cell hyperreactivity and T-cell immunity stimulation. 1-4-year follow-up of 19 patients showed them to be in remission. The data obtained favour SP inclusion into intensive therapy of severe SLE.