From membrane differential filtration to lipidfiltration: technological progress in low-density lipoprotein apheresis

Abstract

Extracorporeal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis is an established and highly effective therapy for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) not adequately responding to diet and drug therapy alone. Based on different methodology, five treatment options of LDL apheresis are available and in widespread practical use in Germany. All methods are safe and demonstrate equivalent efficacy of reducing LDL cholesterol with respect to the single apheresis session as well as during long-term treatment. Owing to methodological properties all methods also exhibit characteristics of additional plasma protein elimination, which do not impair, but in part, increase the beneficial therapeutic effect of LDL apheresis. Fibrinogen reduction has to be mentioned as an example. The lipidfiltration system is based on plasmafiltration previously named membrane differential filtration (MDF), synonymous with double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP). The new term lipidfiltration was the result of technological progress leading to a significant improvement of the efficiency. The system consists of a novel lipid filter with enhanced sieving characteristics and capacity, and is completed by an enhanced therapy machine with an optimized heating unit.