title: C-reactive protein and other markers of inflammation among patients undergoing HELP LDL apheresis.
abstract: Studies reveal important prognostic relationships between C-reactive protein (CRP) and atherosclerotic complications. A prospective trial of familial hypercholesterolemic patients treated with Heparin-induced Extra-corporeal Low-Density Lipoprotein Precipitation (HELP, B. Braun Melsungen) therapy was undertaken to evaluate the short- and long-term effects on CRP. Four patients received LDL apheresis therapy on an alternate week basis for 6 months. Pre- and post-treatment serum high sensitivity (hs) CRP levels (IMx(R), Abbott Laboratories), LDL-C, triglycerides, and fibrinogen were measured. Pre- and post-treatment mean serum levels of LDL-C were 281+/-76 and 98+/-34 mg/dl; triglycerides 191+/-64 and 123+/-50 mg/dl; fibrinogen 332+/-46 and 117+/-31 mg/dl, respectively. Before and after apheresis mean serum levels of hsCRP were 8.99+/-7.88 and 3.15+/-3.16 mg/ml, respectively, representing a 65% decrease. After 6 months of therapy, pre-treatment hsCRP showed an overall mean level decrease of 49%. Preliminary results indicate that LDL apheresis results in a rapid and long-term decrease of serum hsCRP levels.
authors.affiliation: Lipid, Atherosclerosis, and Metabolic Clinic, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, 1336 KU Hospital, Kansas City, KS 66160-7374, USA. pmoriart@kumc.edu
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Moriarty
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Matias
mesh_terms: D001781:Blood Component Removal; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006493:Heparin; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D005340:Fibrinogen; D006493:Heparin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein