title: Lipoprotein apheresis.
abstract: Lipoprotein apheresis is an extracorporeal therapy whereby apo B-containing lipoproteins (LDL, vLDL, and Lp(a)) are selectively removed from the plasma of a patient. It is a variation of plasma exchange, which non-selectively removes all plasma proteins. Lipoprotein apheresis is most commonly used to treat patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, but is also often used for other hyperlipidemic patients, including those with elevated Lp(a), to limit and/or reverse the atherosclerotic complications of high cholesterol. Herein, we provide an overview of lipoprotein apheresis including indications, techniques, efficacy, and adverse events, as well as guidelines and other considerations important for selection of patients for this therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Vijay G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Bhoj
authors.forename: Bruce S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Sachais
mesh_terms: D001781:Blood Component Removal / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D007700:Kinetics; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic
chemical_list: D008074:Lipoproteins