Abstract: 【Abstract】 Objectives To assess the efficacy and side effects of plasma exchange (PE) in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG), Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelination polyneuropathy (CIDP) and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 78
neurological patients treated with PE, including MG 73 cases, GBS 3 cases, CIDP one case and MS one case. PE was performed every other day for 3 times, and then once a week (or twice a week for some patients). Efficacy was evaluated by clinical scales assessed before and after PE, and the side effects were recorded. Results In the 73 MG cases, the scores of absolute scale for clinical signs after PE for 3, 14 and 30 days were statistically lower than the score before PE. In the 3 GBS and one CIDP cases, PE was effective in shortening recovery period and improving disability. In the MS case, no prominent improvement was detected after double filtration plasmapheresis therapy. No serious side effects were found in these cases. Conclusion PE is an effective treatment for MG, GBS, and CIDP without serious side effects. However, PE for central nervous system demyelination diseases such as MS needs to be investigated in more patients.

Key words: Plasma exchange, Myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré, syndrome, Chronic inflammatory demyelination polyneuropathy, Double filtration plasmapheresis therapy, Multiple sclerosis