Affiliations: [a] Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Angiology, University of Debrecen Clinical Center, Debrecen, Hungary
| [b] Department of Operative Techniques and Surgical Research, University of Debrecen Clinical Center, Debrecen, Hungary
| [c] Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Debrecen Clinical Center, Debrecen, Hungary
| [d] Department of Ophtalmology, University of Debrecen Clinical Center, Debrecen, Hungary
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Prof. Dr. Pál Soltész, Head of Angiology Department, Insititute of Internal Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Móricz Zs. 22, Hungary. Tel.: +36209785342; Fax: +3652255218; E-mail: dr.soltesz.pal@gmail.com.
Note: [1] These authors contributed equally to this work.
Abstract: Rheopheresis is an extracorporal selective double-filtration procedure. In the first part of the treatment the blood is passes through the plasma filter, which separates blood cells from the plasma. Then the plasma flow to a second filter called MONET (Membranefiltration Optimised Novel Extracorporal Treatment). The MONET filter retains high molecular weight proteins such LDL, Lp(a), fibrinogen, α2 macroglobulin, vWF and IgM. Hereby the whole blood and plasma viscosity decrease, improves microcirculation, and has a positive effect on lipid profile as well. Accorging to ASFA recommendation rheopheresis is a first line treatment in age-related dry macular degeneration and in sudden sensorineural hearing loss. There are other clinical situations in which rheopheresis has been used effectivly. But only few data are available and large clinical trials have not been done in these diseases. In this paper we describe a case history and laboratory findings of a patient who suffers from age related dry macular degeneration and was successfully treated by rheopheresis.
