Indications for plasma exchange in the treatment of polyarteritis nodosa, Churg-Strauss syndrome and other systemic vasculitides

Treatment of polyarteritis nodosa and microscopic polyangiitis

“…In patients who are still receiving initial therapy, mild relapses may be managed by a temporary increase in the corticosteroid dosage. Major relapses may require a return to initial therapy, and introduction of plasma exchanges should be considered when treatment fails (37). Serra et a1 (38) described 18 MPA patients with a chronically active disease course, which they described as "smoldering vasculitis."…”