PLASMA EXCHANGE IN PATIENTS WITH THE DIAGNOSIS OF GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME: AN EXPERIENCE IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Objective:to assess the effectiveness of plasma exchange in patients with guillain-barre syndrome. methodology:peshawar from march 2008 to july 2010. twenty eight patients were included in study after fulfillinginclusion criteria. all the diagnosed cases of guillain-barre syndrome were admitted in intensive care unitpost graduate medical institute lady reading hospital peshawar and 4 sessions of plasma exchangetherapy was initiated in every patient after informed written consent.this descriptive study was conducted at intensive care unit lady reading hospital results:years and mean duration of stay in intensive care unit was 6.32 days. out of these 28 patients, 60.71%(17) recovered and 39.3% (11) expired despite treatment and 2 patients developed adverse eventssecondary to plasma exchange. in 25 (89.29%) patients breathlessness was reported as their majorsymptom beside motor weakness, while in 19 (67.85%) patients, pain was also reported.out of 28 patients 19 were male (67.85%) and 9 were female (32.14%). mean age was 32.32 conclusion:specific therapy with plasma exchange within seven days of onset of symptoms improve prognosis andplasma exchange has proved beneficial to supportive treatment alone in guillain-barre syndrome withminimal side effects.early referral to intensive care unit, management of complications, good nursing care and