title: Effects of LDL apheresis on blood rheology in two patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.
abstract: Changes in haemorheological and lipid variables were investigated in 2 patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) treated with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis using dextran sulphate adsorbent. The immediate effect of LDL apheresis was a fall in plasma fibrinogen by 50%, total and LDL cholesterol by 60%, plasma viscosity by 12% and whole blood viscosity by 17%. Before the 12th treatment session, plasma fibrinogen concentration remained reduced by 22%, whole blood viscosity by 17% and the plasma viscosity by 11% compared with the initial values. Total and LDL cholesterol in plasma also remained reduced by about 50%. We conclude that LDL apheresis, using dextran sulphate adsorbent, improves blood rheology. The decrease in plasma fibrinogen concentrations, plasma viscosity and LDL cholesterol might be factors contributing to the improved haemorheological properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Fadul
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sandhagen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Linde
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vessby
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wikström
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Danielson
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000328:Adult; D001781:Blood Component Removal; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D018056:Hemorheology; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000209:etiology; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000172:deficiency
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D005340:Fibrinogen; D016264:Dextran Sulfate