Plasmapheresis in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome before living-donor kidney transplantation: a case report

Background Early graft thrombosis and bleeding complications remain important causes of early graft loss following kidney transplantation in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. Anti-β2-glycoprotein I IgG is a disease-specific antibody in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. Although plasmapheresis is partially effective for antibody removal, the optimal treatment allowing successful transplantation in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome has not been established. This is the first report of a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome who successfully underwent living-donor kidney transplantation following prophylactic plasmapheresis for removal of anti-β2-glycoprotein I IgG.