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The evidence-base for the efficacy of lipoprotein apheresis in combating cardiovascular disease

Gilbert R Thompson1

  • 1Metabolic Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK. g.thompson@imperial.ac.uk

Atherosclerosis. Supplements
|January 30, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Lipoprotein apheresis effectively treats severe dyslipidaemia, increasing longevity in homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and reducing cardiovascular risk in FH patients unresponsive to statins.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Severe dyslipidaemia poses significant cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
  • Conventional therapies are often insufficient for specific patient groups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence for lipoprotein apheresis in severe, refractory dyslipidaemia.
  • To assess its role in preventing CVD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of publications from the past 10 years.
  • PubMed database search and expert knowledge integration.

Main Results:

  • Lipoprotein apheresis improves longevity in homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH).
  • It reduces cardiovascular morbidity in statin-refractory/intolerant FH heterozygotes.
  • Potential benefits for elevated Lp(a) require further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Lipoprotein apheresis is a vital treatment for a select group of high-risk patients.
  • The impact of new lipid-lowering drugs on its future use is uncertain.
Abstract

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