Short-term hemodynamic effects of immunoadsorption in dilated cardiomyopathy

Previous studies have shown that the sera of many patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are positive for several antibodies directed against cardiac antigens. Anti-beta1-adrenergic receptor antibodies occur in 70% to 90% of DCM patients. These antibodies are extractable by immunoadsorption (IA). In an investigation of the functional significance of antibodies for hemodynamics, IA was performed throughout 5 consecutive days on nine patients with severe DCM who were on stable drug therapy. Immunoglobulins were eliminated in nine patients with severe DCM (mean age, 43.5 years; range, 25 to 58 years; left ventricular ejection fraction,