- LDL apheresis
In
medicine , LDL apheresis is a form ofapheresis , resemblingdialysis , to eliminate thecholesterol -containing particlelow-density lipoprotein (LDL) from the bloodstream.Uses
It is used in diseases featuring high LDL, such as the rare "homozygous"
familial hypercholesterolemia , when the "heterozygous" form does not respond to medical treatment, or when the treatment has led to dangerous side-effects (such asrhabdomyolysis ).The procedure takes 2-4 hours and must be repeated every several weeks to keep the LDL levels from accumulation and causing
cardiovascular disease .It is an expensive procedure, limiting its use to severe cases of
hyperlipidemia .Principles
LDL apheresis works by leading
venous blood through a collumn coated with antibodies toapolipoprotein B (the main protein of LDL particles),dextran sulfate orpolyacrylate , or by precipitatingLDL withheparin at lowpH . In all cases (apart from polyacrylate absorption), plasma is separated from cells by acell separator .References
* Thompson GR. "LDL Apheresis". Atherosclerosis 2003;167:1-13. PMID 12618263.
* Vella A, Pineda AA, O'Brien T. "Low-density lipoprotein apheresis for the treatment of refractory hyperlipidemia." Mayo Clin Proc 2001;76:1039-46. PMID 11605688.External links
* [http://www.csmc.edu/2350.html LDL apheresis] information on from
Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre .* [http://www.liposorber.com LDL apheresis] information on from
Liposorber .
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