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Long‐term Effect of Low‐density Lipoprotein Apheresis in Patients with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Author(s) -
Higashikata Toshinori,
Mabuchi Hiroshi
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
therapeutic apheresis and dialysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.415
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1744-9987
pISSN - 1744-9979
DOI - 10.1046/j.1526-0968.2003.00074.x
Subject(s) - medicine , familial hypercholesterolemia , ldl apheresis , apheresis , coronary artery disease , cardiology , apolipoprotein b , refractory (planetary science) , cholesterol , platelet , physics , astrobiology
Clinical efficacy and safety of the therapeutic tool which directly removes LDL particles from circulation (LDL apheresis) have already been established in the treatment for refractory hypercholesterolemia in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Two clinical studies with event‐based assessment have demonstrated remarkably beneficial outcomes of long‐term LDL apheresis using dextran sulfate cellulose columns plus adjunctive cholesterol‐lowering drug therapy in the prevention of cardiovascular events in heterozygous FH with coronary artery disease. The results of several studies with angiographic and ultrasound‐based assessment indicate a possible role for LDL apheresis in restructuring and stabilization of atherosclerotic lesions. These clinical improvements caused by LDL apheresis in heterozygous FH support the efficacy and importance of aggressive cholesterol‐lowering therapy for secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in hypercholesterolemic patients.