First data from the German Lipoprotein Apheresis Registry (GLAR).
OBJECTIVE
In recent years the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), a paramount decision-making body of the German health care system challenged the approval of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for regular reimbursement, including lipoprotein apheresis therapy. Years before an interdisciplinary German apheresis working group, established by members of both German Societies of Nephrology (Verband Deutsche Nierenzentren (VDN), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nephrologie (DGfN)), initiated a revision of the indication of lipoprotein apheresis therapy according to current guidelines and recommendations for the treatment of lipid disorders. This working group was convinced, that data derived from a registry would support lipoprotein apheresis as a therapy for severe hyperlipidemic patients suffering from progressive cardiovascular diseases.


RESULTS
In 2009 the working group established the indication for lipoprotein apheresis with respect to current cardiovascular guidelines and scientific knowledge for the registry, which are in line with the reimbursement guidelines. In 2011 financing by sponsors was secured and an internet-based registry was created. A pilot project with 5 apheresis centers finished in 2012 - since then the registry is available to all German apheresis centers.


CONCLUSIONS
There has been consensus between the medical societies and health care carriers regarding the need for a German Lipoprotein Apheresis Registry (GLAR). The launch of this registry complies with requirements of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA). Complementing the Pro(a)LiFe-Study, first data from GLAR support the safety of the different apheresis treatment procedures. In addition these first data suggest, with respect to the results of Pro(a)LiFe-Study, effectiveness in preventing cardiovascular progression as well. Here, further data are needed to statistically substantiate these early findings.
Center of Nephrology Goettingen GbR, Göttingen, Germany.
Volker J J
VJ
Schettler
BRAVE - Benefit for Research on Arterial Hypertension, Dyslipidemia and Vascular Risk and Education e.V., Göttingen, Germany.
Class L
CL
Neumann
BioArtProducts GmbH, Rostock, Germany.
Christian
C
Peter
BioArtProducts GmbH, Rostock, Germany.
Thomas
T
Zimmermann
Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Ulrich
U
Julius
Center for Nephrology, Hypertension, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover, Germany.
Eberhard
E
Roeseler
Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum Kempten-Allgäu, Kempten, Germany.
Franz
F
Heigl
Apheresis Center, Rostock, Germany.
Wolfgang
W
Ramlow
Scientific Institute for Nephrology (WiNe), Düsseldorf, Germany.
Helmut
H
Blume
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001781:Blood Component Removal / Q000379:methods*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D006951:Hyperlipoproteinemias / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers; D008074:Lipoproteins
First data; Lipoprotein Apheresis Registry; Lipoprotein apheresis