LDL apheresis in clinical practice: long-term treatment of severe hyperlipidemia

Thirty patients (13 males, 17 females) suffering from familial hypercholesterolemia resistant to diet and lipid-lowering drugs were treated for 48.7 +/- 19.2 months (range, 2-87 months) with low density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis. Three different systems (dextran sulfate adsorption for 27 of 30 [Kaneka, Liposorber, Japan], immunoadsorption system for 2 of 30 [Baxter, Therasorb, Germany], immunoadsorption system with special lipoprotein a [Lp(a)] columns for 1 of 30 patients [Lipopak, Pocard, Russia]) were applied. Before LDL apheresis 24 of 30 patients suffered from coronary heart disease (CHD) with angina symptoms. With LDL apheresis, reductions of 46% for total cholesterol, 49% for LDL, 30% for Lp(a), and 38% for triglycerides were reached. Severe side effects such as shock or allergic reactions were very rare (0.5%). In the course of treatment, an improvement in general well-being and increased performance were experienced in 27 of 30 patients. A 60 to 100% reduction of nitrate medication was observed in 17 of 24 patients. Regarding the different apheresis systems used, at the end of the trial there were no significant differences with respect to the clinical outcome experienced by the patients and concerning total cholesterol, LDL, high density lipoprotein, and triglyceride concentrations. But to reduce high Lp(a) levels, the immunoadsorption method with special Lp(a) columns seems to be the most effective (-57% versus 25% [Kaneka] and 23% [Baxter]). The present data clearly demonstrate that treatment with LDL apheresis of patients suffering from familial hypercholesterolemia, resistant to maximum conservative therapy, is very effective and safe, even in long-term application.