Pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid may be associated with significant patient morbidity and mortality. Plasmapheresis can be effective in managing carefully selected patients.
Indications for plasmapheresis for an antibody-mediated bullous skin disorder:
(1) significant disease that fails to respond to conventional therapy
(2) contraindications or severe (or unacceptable) adverse effects associated with conventional therapy
(3) severe and progressive (fulminant) clinical manifestations
(4) the need for high doses of corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive agents to control the disease process
Plasmapheresis can be an effective therapy for managing patients with one or more of the above indications.
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