Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria for plasma exchange studies

Cole 1992

RPGN of undefined aetiology (idiopathic or post infectious disease) with specific pathologic criteria.

Cellular crescents in < 50% non-obsolescent glomeruli.

Evidence of serious infection or active ulcer disease.

Adults (16-75 y), normal sized kidneys SCr > 170 μmol/L and/or increasing by 44 μmoles/l per wk.

No evidence of systemic disease or anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody-induced disease.

Renal biopsy within 5 days of trial entry

Jayne 2007

Biopsy-proven ANCA-associated necrotizing GN with acute kidney failure (SCr > 500 μmol/L)

Age <18 or > 80 years.

Inadequate contraception; pregnancy; previous malignancy; hepatitis B antigenaemia or hepatitis C antibody or HIV infection; other multi-system autoimmune disease; circulating anti-GBM antibody or linear staining of GBM on histology; life-threatening non-renal manifestations of vasculitis.

Dialysis for > 2 weeks before entry; creatinine >200 uM more than 1 year before entry. > 2 weeks treatment with CPA or AZA; > 500 mg of IV methylprednisolone; plasma exchange within the preceding year; >3 months treatment with oral prednisolone; allergy to study medications.

Glockner 1988

RPGN with >70% crescents on renal biopsy.

CrCl < 50 ml/min.

Urine output > 200 ml/24 h.

Anti-GBM disease, life threatening conditions, contraindications to immunosuppression, previous treatment with AZA or CPA for >14 days.

Mauri 1985

Histologically proven crescentic GN and rapidly progressive renal impairment.

Less than 60% glomerular involvement, primary glomerulopathies, transplanted kidneys, SLE, HSP.

Pusey 1991

Focal necrotizing GN with crescents (Wegener's granulomatosis, systemic vasculitis, polyarteritis, idiopathic RPGN)

Anti-GBM disease, SLE, Henoch-Schonlein Purpura, chronic GN Previously treated with IV MP, oral CPA or PE

Rifle 1980

New onset RPGN with > 50% glomerular crescents.

Goodpasture's syndrome; IgA nephropathies; SLE; systemic disease.