title: Lipoprotein apheresis for the treatment of elevated circulating levels of lipoprotein(a): a critical literature review.
abstract: Lipoprotein(a), which consists of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle linked to an apolipoprotein(a) moiety, is currently considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease due to its atherogenic (LDL-like) and prothrombotic (plasminogen-like) properties. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current and newer therapies for lowering increased lipoprotein(a) levels, focusing on lipoprotein apheresis. After a systematic literature search, we identified ten studies which, overall, documented that lipoprotein apheresis is effective in reducing increased lipoprotein(a) levels and cardiovascular events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, "Carlo Poma" Hospital, Mantua, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franchini
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, "Carlo Poma" Hospital, Mantua, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Capuzzo
authors.affiliation: Italian National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Liumbruno
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis; D001781:Blood Component Removal; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D017270:Lipoprotein(a)