Low-density lipoprotein hemoperfusion using a modified polyacrylate adsorber: in vitro, ex vivo, and first clinical...

Current lipid apheresis techniques can remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol only from plasma, i.e., a primary cell-plasma separation step is mandatory. This article describes in vitro, ex vivo, and clinical results using a new LDL adsorber compatible with human whole blood. It consists of modified polyacrylate, the negative charges of which can interact with the positively charged protein B moiety of LDL, thus retaining these particles on the surface of the adsorber. After the efficacy and selectivity of LDL removal had been demonstrated in vitro and ex vivo, a clinical pilot study corroborated these results. Thus, treating 60 ml of blood per kilogram of body weight in a single session, LDL hemoperfusion reduced LDL cholesterol by 50%, lipoprotein (a) by 17%, and triglycerides by 19% in 6 hypercholesterolemic patients. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol recovery amounted to 97%. In conclusion, LDL hemoperfusion holds great promise for the future.