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McMaster Textbook of Internal Medicine

Is plasmapheresis effective in rheumatologic emergencies?

2018-12-20
Bhaskar Dasgupta
Recorded at the 4th McMaster International Review Course in Internal Medicine (MIRCIM).

Is plasmapheresis an effective treatment in rheumatologic emergencies?

Bhaskar Dasgupta, MD: It is a very efficacious way of treatment, but it is expensive. So you do not want to treat everyone with plasma exchange, and there are many patients who do not need plasma exchange. They can be treated with other conventional immunosuppression, cyclophosphamide, rituximab, and they do not need plasma exchange.

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  • When to treat osteoporosis When should we consider treatment of osteoporosis? What is the best method to guide decision-making (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool, densitometry)?

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