Change in Hemorrheological and Biochemical Parameters following Membrane Differential Filtration

Abstract

MDF is a safe and highly effective method for lowering biochemical and improving rheological parameters which led to improvement in visual acuity. We have already replaced plasma exchange with MDF in our clinical practice of hemorrheological therapy.

Rheopheresis: Rheologic, Functional, and Structural Aspects

“…The therapeutic effect of Rheopheresis on microcirculatory disturbances can be evaluated by a significant body of clinical data in the treatment of ocular, cerebral, and cardiovascular disorders (5,30). Brunner and coworkers demonstrated in a randomized and controlled clinical study that rheopheresis is safe and effective in improving rheological parameters (plasma viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation) in patients with AMD, led to improvement in visual acuity, and changed the chronic deteriorating natural course of AMD (6,7). These findings recently were confirmed in a second randomized and controlled clinical study in Salt Lake City, UT, U.S.A. (8).…”

Improvement of macular function by membrane differential filtration in diabetic retinopathy

“…120 % of the patients plasma volume was processed during the first treatment and 80 % during the second treatment. However the study design permitted to process smaller volumes down to 60 % if the plasma protein values at the end of the first treatment were subnormal.Whole blood viscosity was measured with a cone plate system (CS-Rheometer Carri Med Ltd, Dorking, UK) [4]. Plasma viscosity was determined with the capillary tube plasma viscosimeter (Myrenne GmbH, Roetgen, Germany) [12].…”

“…Erythrocyte aggregation was measured with the Mini-Aggregometer (Myrenne GmbH, Roetgen, Germany) [13]. The biochemical parameters as total protein, albumin, fibrinogen, IgG, IgM, total cholesterol, triglyerides and LDLcholesterol were determined using standard procedures as described in detail before [4].…”

“…A change of blood rheology is known to substantially contribute to retinal ischemia in diabetic retinopathy. Membrane differential filtration (MDF) is an extracorporeal treatment process which is able to optimize rheological parameters by eliminating high molecular weight proteins and lipoproteins from the blood [4], comparable to plasma exchange [5]. Laser coagulation is the treatment of choice for clinical significant macular edema (CSME) according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study criteria (ETDRS).…”

Incorporation of low-density lipoprotein apheresis into the treatment program of patients with severe hypercholesterolemia

“…There may be several interacting mechanisms including: 1) decreased blood viscosity with improved blood rheology [20]; 2) improved coronary microcirculation; 3) lowered oxidized LDL levels [21]; 4) the removal of small, dense LDL and 5) downregulation of leukocyte and endothelial adhesion molecules [18]. Tamai et al [22] measured forearm blood flow while infusing acetylcholine before and after a single LDL apheresis treatment and found that vasodilatation responses were significantly augmented.…”