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Review
. 2022 Feb;26(1):32-36.
doi: 10.1111/1744-9987.13716. Epub 2021 Aug 6.

The scientific basis and future of lipoprotein apheresis

Gilbert R Thompson  1
Affiliations
Review

The scientific basis and future of lipoprotein apheresis

Gilbert R Thompson. Ther Apher Dial. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Lipoprotein apheresis plays a vital role in the management of the severe hyperlipidemias that predispose to atherosclerosis. Determinants of efficacy are the acute reduction in lipoproteins achieved by each apheresis procedure, their frequency, and the fractional catabolic rates and hence pool sizes of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) of the patient being treated. A useful criterion of the efficacy of apheresis plus lipid-lowering drug therapy is the decrease in the interval (time-averaged) mean of serum total or LDL cholesterol or Lp(a) between procedures, expressed as the percent decrease in the interval means below the maximal levels of these lipoproteins when off all treatment. Recent advances in lipid-lowering drug therapy may diminish the use of lipoprotein apheresis but will not abolish its unique role as a therapeutic "last chance saloon," especially for children and pregnant women with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Keywords: atherosclerosis; cholesterol; familial hypercholesterolemia.

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References

REFERENCES

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    1. Thompson GR, Lowenthal R, Myant NB. Plasma exchange in the management of homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. Lancet. 1975;1:1208-11.
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    1. Pottle A, Thompson G, Barbir M, Bayly G, Cegla J, Cramb R, et al. Lipoprotein apheresis efficacy, challenges and outcomes: a descriptive analysis from the UK Lipoprotein Apheresis Registry, 1989-2017. Atherosclerosis. 2019;290:44-51.
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