Plasmapheresis in familial hypercholesterolemia.
Twelve years' experience confirms that plasma exchange beneficially influences the course of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Pilot studies with low density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis using a dextran sulphate affinity column suggest that this procedure has advantages over plasma exchange, which it may eventually replace. Combination therapy with lovastatin and LDL apheresis is currently being assessed as a means of inducing regression of coronary lesions. Preliminary results of a pilot study in four patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia are encouraging.
Thompson
G R
GR
Department of Cardiology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, United Kingdom.
Barbir
M
M
Okabayashi
K
K
Trayner
I
I
Larkin
S
S
D001781:Blood Component Removal / Q000379:methods*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000628:therapy*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010951:Plasma Exchange / Q000379:methods*; D014973:Xanthomatosis / Q000628:therapy
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL