Has anyone had experience with plasmophoresis and/or IVIG for removal of HLA-sensitive serum antibodies to prevent hyperacute rejection? I am on CAPD, need a second transplant, but my antibody levels would cause immediate rejection to any living or cadeveric kidney.

I have gone through the process. I have a kidney which failed last Fall after 9.5 years. I had a potential donor, but showed positive for antibodies.

I went through the a week of treatment, with IVIG administered one day, and plasmapheresis the other. I was told there was a 40% chance of it removing the antibodies. In my case it didn;t work :-(

Also, be careful at the rate in which you have the IVIG put in... I pushed it over 300 and developed hives and a breathing reaction. 250 is about the max rate I found to tolerate.

Good luck!

"TRIPLE SWAP" KIDNEY TRANSPLANT OPERATION A SUCCESS http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2004/03_04a_04.html

LadySycamore
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