Neurologists commonly use therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE, also known as plasmapheresis or therapeutic apheresis) to treat a number of conditions. This concise review examines the most common neurologic indications for therapeutic plasma exchange. It focuses on Guillain-Barrè syndrome and myasthenia gravis and also the role of TPE in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, paraproteinemic polyneuropathy, and Sydenham's chorea. As with any treatment, the proven efficacy, cost, side effects, and availability must be considered before initiation of therapy.
Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.