Plasma Exchange and Glucocorticoids in Severe ANCA-Associated Vasculitis

More effective and safer treatments are needed for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis.

of body-surface area or diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage). Patients were randomly assigned to undergo plasma exchange (seven plasma exchanges within 14 days after randomization) or no plasma exchange (control group). Patients were also randomly assigned to follow either a standard-dose regimen or a reduced-dose regimen of oral glucocorticoids. Patients were followed for up to 7 years for the primary composite outcome of death from any cause or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).