EXTRACORPOREAL IMMUNOADSORPTION FOR THE SPECIFIC REMOVAL OF LIPOPROTEIN (A) (LP(A) APHERESIS) - PRELIMINARY CLINICAL-DATA

The extracorporeal procedure for the specific removal of lipoprotein ( a) (Lp(a)) from human plasma - Lp(a) apheresis - was applied to the tr eatment of three patients with coronary artery disease documented by a ngiography. Their initial lipid levels were as follows: total choleste rol, 210-230 mg/dl; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, 140-160 mg/dl; Lp(a), 90-120 mg/dl. The patients underwent a total of 168 pro cedures without significant side effects. Lp(a) apheresis reduced the Lp(a)level by removing up to 88% of Lp(a). Other plasma compounds, inc luding LDL and plasminogen, remained practically unchanged. Lp(a) aphe resis appears to be a unique, effective and specific method for loweri ng the Lp(a) level. Additional trials are needed to evaluate the clini cal effect of this treatment.