[LDL-apheresis: current status].
OBJECTIVE
State of the art of LDL-apheresis and treatment of severe familiar hypercholesterolemia.


METHODS
Clinical experience of treatment with LDL-apheresis of pediatric and adult patients with familial hypercholesterolemia using the following techniques: D.A.L.I., H.E.L.P., D.S.C.


RESULTS
The outcome of treatment with LDL-apheresis in young patients, using the most recently introduced techniques, is reported. We have submitted to LDL-apheresis 11 pediatric patients. The youngest is aged 3.5. LDL-apheresis is able at improving the metabolic impairment and halting the natural evolution of atherosclerotic disease and atherosclerotic complications.


CONCLUSIONS
At present, LDL-apheresis is the most effective and safe therapeutic approach to the treatment of homozygous, heterozygous and double heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
Stefanutti
C
C
Sezione di Plasmaferesi Terapeutica, Istituto di Terapia Medica Sistematica, Policlinico Umberto I, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, Roma, Italia. plasmaferesi@tin.it
Vivenzio
A
A
Lucani
G
G
Di Giacomo
S
S
D001781:Blood Component Removal; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000628:therapy*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL