title: Long-term effect of low-density lipoprotein apheresis in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
abstract: Clinical efficacy and safety of the therapeutic tool which directly removes LDL particles from circulation (LDL apheresis) have already been established in the treatment for refractory hypercholesterolemia in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Two clinical studies with event-based assessment have demonstrated remarkably beneficial outcomes of long-term LDL apheresis using dextran sulfate cellulose columns plus adjunctive cholesterol-lowering drug therapy in the prevention of cardiovascular events in heterozygous FH with coronary artery disease. The results of several studies with angiographic and ultrasound-based assessment indicate a possible role for LDL apheresis in restructuring and stabilization of atherosclerotic lesions. These clinical improvements caused by LDL apheresis in heterozygous FH support the efficacy and importance of aggressive cholesterol-lowering therapy for secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in hypercholesterolemic patients.
authors.affiliation: The Second Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan. hgshkt@im2.m.kanazawa-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Toshinori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Higashikata
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mabuchi
mesh_terms: D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010956:Plasmapheresis / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL