J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 83(7): 605-612, 1982

---

Original article

ON-LINE REMOVAL OF IMMUNE COMPLEX FROM BLOOD BY CONTINUOUS CRYOFILTRATION (CCF)

Plasma exchange using the centrifugal technique has been applied in various disease and shown to be effective. However, limitations in chronic applications are the requirement for plasma products and limited removal related to the volume of exchange. The technique of double-step membrane filtration and the cooling of the plasma to promote gel formation of abnormal plasma proteins to maximize their removal, named CCF, was devised to overcome these problems. The patient treated had severe unremitting rheumatoid arthritis for 47 years and was high titer seropositive with high levels of circulating immune complex (IC) and cryoglobulins. All conventional treatment had failed to control the symptoms. Two weeks after the implantation of a Gortex graft, CCF was started at a rate of 3 times a week, the rate being reduced stepwise with time. Percent reduction of IC and rheumatoid factor per treatment averaged 65% and 20%. Six weeks after initiation of treatment, IC level was reduced to 25% of the initial value (2,296μ/ml, normal value＜74μ/ml) in combination with clinical improvement. Till now we have treated more than 1 year for a total of 50 times and IC, cryoglobulin and immunoglobulin levels are maintained within normal limits with every two weeks treatment.

---

---

To read the PDF file you will need Adobe Reader installed on your computer.