LONG-TERM RESULTS OF THE TREATMENT OF SEV ERE HYPERLIPIDEMIA BY EXTRACORPOREAL LDL-ELIMINATION (LDL-APHERESIS)

In total 30 patients (13 males, 17 females) suffering from familial hy perlipidemia resistant to diet and lipid lowering drugs were treated f or 51.8 +/- 18.7 (range 2-89) months with extracorporeal LDL-eliminati on (LDL-apheresis). Prior to LDL-apheresis 24/30 patients suffered fro m coronary heart disease (CHD) with angina symptoms. With LDL-apheresi s, reductions of 46% for total cholesterol, 50% for LDL, 33% for Lp(a) and 38% for triglycerides were reached. Severe side effects such as s hock or allergic reactions were very rare (0.5%). In the course of tre atment an improvement in general well-being and increased performance were experienced in 27/30 patients. A reduction of nitrate medication between 60 and 100% was observed in 17/24 patients. The present data c learly demonstrate that treatment with LDL-apheresis in patients suffe ring from familiar hyperlipidemia, resistant to maximum conservative t herapy, is very effective and safe, even in long-term application.