title: Low-density lipoprotein apheresis in a patient aged 3.5 years.
abstract: A 3.5 y-old girl carrying a severe mutation of the LDL-receptor gene known as "FH Pavia", affected by homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), and at high risk of developing coronary artery atherosclerosis was treated with selective dextran sulphate cellulose (DSC) column low-density lipoprotein apheresis (LDL-a). This is the youngest patient ever treated with LDL-a. Plasma total cholesterol (982 mg/dl) and LDL-cholesterol (939 mg/dl) (T-Chol, LDL-Chol) levels at baseline showed a transient decrease: -13.4%, and -16.8%, respectively, after 9 mo of combined treatment with a diet, cholestyramine (max. 12 g/d) and atorvastatin (max. 30 mg/d). However, the drugs were discontinued because of intolerance and an increase in aminotransferases and creatine phosphokinase in the plasma. Moreover, after 9 mo of this therapy, the mean plasma T-Chol and LDL-Chol levels were still high (930 mg/dl and 869.5 mg/dl, respectively). Therefore, 9 consecutive treatments with LDL-a were carried out every 15 d (plasma volumes treated: 1000-1700 ml). Mean plasma T-Chol, LDL-Chol, triglycerides (TG), and Lp(a) decreased significantly: -75.5%, -77.2%, -67.5% and -50.8%, respectively. HDL-cholesterol (HDL-Chol) concentration was considerably decreased immediately after apheresis because of haemodilution (X: -45.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LDL-a treatment improved the plasma apo B 100-containing lipoproteins--LDL, Lp(a)--profile in a homozygote with a severe inherited disorder in which coronary artery atherosclerosis frequently has its clinical onset before 10 y of age. At the time of this report, no significant side effects had been observed.
authors: Istituto di Terapia Medica Sistematica, Plasmapheresis Unit, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy. plasmaferesi@tin.it
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Stefanutti
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Di Giacomo
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Vivenzio
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Colloridi
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Bosco
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Berni
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Rabbone
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Cerutti
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Bertolini
mesh_terms: D001781:Blood Component Removal / Q000379:methods; D002675:Child, Preschool; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D009154:Mutation; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D011973:Receptors, LDL