Goodpasture's Syndrome
Alternate Names : Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Antibody Disease, Glomerulonephritis - Pulmonary Hemorrhage, Pulmonary Renal Syndrome, Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis with Pulmonary Hemorrhage
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Treatment
Treatment is focused on slowing progression of the disease. It is most effective when begun early, before kidney function has deteriorated to the point of requiring dialysis.
Corticosteroids or other anti-inflammatory agents may be used to reduce the immune response, with variable results. Other immune suppressants, such as cyclophosphamide, are used aggressively to try to stop the attacks by immune cells on the kidneys and lungs.
Plasmapheresis, a procedure by which blood plasma is removed from the body and replaced with fluids or donated plasma, may be performed daily for 2 or more weeks to remove circulating antibodies. It is fairly effective in slowing or reversing the disorder.
Dialysis may be required if the kidney is functioning poorly. Kidney transplant may be quite successful, especially if performed after circulating antibodies have been absent for several months.
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