Plasma exchange for primary autoimmune autonomic failure
Christoph Schroeder, Steven Vernino, Andreas L Birkenfeld, Jens Tank, Karsten Heusser, Axel Lipp, Thomas Benter, Carsten Lindschau, Ralph Kettritz, Friedrich C Luft, Jens Jordan, Christoph Schroeder, Steven Vernino, Andreas L Birkenfeld, Jens Tank, Karsten Heusser, Axel Lipp, Thomas Benter, Carsten Lindschau, Ralph Kettritz, Friedrich C Luft, Jens Jordan
Abstract
We report on a patient with long-standing severe autonomic failure that affected his sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Antibodies against the ganglionic acetylcholine receptors were detected in the serum. Removal of the antibodies by means of plasma exchange resulted in a dramatic clinical improvement.
Copyright 2005 Massachusetts Medical Society.
Source: PubMed