title: Low-Density Lipoprotein Apheresis Ameliorates Renal Prognosis of Cholesterol Crystal Embolism.
abstract: Drugs such as corticosteroids and statins have been used to treat cholesterol crystal embolism (CCE), but the prognosis remains poor. This study evaluated the efficacy of low-density lipoprotein apheresis (LDL-A) in patients with CCE. Patients with CCE who showed renal deterioration after vascular interventions were studied retrospectively. Information on demographic variables, clinical measurements, and medication use was collected. The outcomes were incidence of maintenance dialysis and mortality at 24 weeks. A total of 49 patients with CCE were included, among whom 37 (76%) were diagnosed pathologically and the remainder were diagnosed clinically. The median estimated GFR at baseline and at diagnosis were 40.5 and 13.4 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) , respectively. Corticosteroids were used in 42 patients (86%), statins in 30 patients (61%), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in 29 patients (59%). LDL-A was performed in 25 patients (LDL-A group), and not in 24 patients (control group). Smoking (100% vs. 72%, P = 0.02), white blood cell count (8900/mm(3) vs. 7000/mm(3) ) and corticosteroid use (96% vs. 75%) were higher in the LDL-A group compared with the control group, but there were no differences in other demographic and clinical parameters between the groups. Patients in the LDL-A group had a lower incidence of maintenance dialysis (2/25 (8%) vs. 8/24 (33%), P < 0.05), and a trend towards lower mortality (2/25 (8%) vs. 7/24 (29%), P = 0.074). These results suggest that LDL-A decreases the risk of maintenance dialysis in severe renal CCE patients after vascular interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Japan Community Health Care Organization Sendai Hospital, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishiyama
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Japan Community Health Care Organization Sendai Hospital, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshinobu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Japan Community Health Care Organization Sendai Hospital, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Taguma
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001781:Blood Component Removal / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017700:Embolism, Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007564:Japan; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011379:Prognosis; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL
keywords: Cholesterol; Embolism; Low-density lipoprotein apheresis; Renal insufficiency