plasma exchange in Guillain-Barre syndrome
Last reviewed 01/2018
Plasma exchange has been found to be beneficial in Guillain-Barre syndrome. This form of treatment has been shown to lead to:
- shorter periods of ventilation.
- shorter period until patient again able to walk unaided
Patients treated within ten days of onset of symptoms and those requiring ventilation derived greatest benefit from plasma exchange.
Note that plasma exchange is associated with a small but significant morbidity:
- hypotension
- arrhythmias