Optimization of therapeutic procedure during LDL-apheresis - verification of the computerized model in clinical practice.

UNLABELLED: LDL-apheresis is a very effective method in the treatment of resistant hypercholesterolemia when other therapies fail. To maximize the efficacy of the use of LDL-absorbers, we created a computerized model. The aim of this study is to verify it in clinical use. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A therapeutic technique of immunoadsorption was used, applying a pair of Lipopak columns (Pocard, Russia). Plasma was separated by a continuous-flow plasma separator (Cobe Spectra, USA); adsorption was controlled by adsorption-desorption equipment Adasorb (Medicap, Germany). 494 LDL-apheresis procedures had been performed in nine patients with primary hypercholesterolemia in the earlier, initial study; 47 other procedures (202 therapeutic cycles) were used in this verification study. The program for procedure planning uses Microsoft Excel for Windows. Complex metabolism of the LDL-cholesterol was neglected (owing to the short-time period of the procedure) and the procedure calculated as continuous filtration. The input enterer into the program includes basic patient data (mass, height, sex and initial plasma LDL level in mmol/L). RESULTS: The results show a very good match between calculated levels and the real laboratory results in most procedures, but in some procedures we observed minor differences (0.05 mmol/L), which was caused by procedure adjustments due to technical reasons. However, some methodological and medical details must be carefully observed (initial cholesterol level, correct calculation of plasma volume, and the precise capacity of adsorbers that must not be overshot); as they influence the correct match between calculated and real results significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Although our software uses a fairly simplified model of the LDL-cholesterol kinetics during the LDL-apheresis, it is providing a great aid in the procedure planning. It is also suitable for practical use because it only requires a few commonly used and readily available input values.

Hyaluronate-iodine complex: a new adjunct for the management of complex sternal wounds after a cardiac operation.

A wound-healing agent developed in the European Union is based on the combination of organic hyaluronan with inorganic iodine. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the efficacy and safety of hyaluronate-iodine in the treatment of sternal wounds. Eight patients with sternal wound dehiscence were entered into the study. After debridement, wounds were dressed with gauze soaked in hyaluronate-iodine. In one patient with an epipleural abscess, hyaluronate-iodine was instilled directly into the abscess cavity daily. Complete healing was achieved in 7 patients, and 1 patient underwent a reconstructive operation for wound closure. The mean (SD) length of treatment was 136 (114.2) days. No adverse effects or complications were apparent in this group. Hyaluronate-iodine is safe and effective in healing sternal wound dehiscence. Randomized controlled trials are needed for further validation.

Elevated serum soluble endoglin (sCD105) decreased during extracorporeal elimination therapy for familial hypercholesterolemia.

Extracorporeal elimination is a method of LDL-lowering therapy that is used in severe familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) after other therapeutic approaches have failed. There are currently no universally accepted biomarkers that would allow determining necessary intensity of therapy and frequency of future therapeutic interventions. An ideal tool for immediate evaluation would be a readily measurable serum marker. We hypothesized that soluble endoglin (sCD105), a recently described indicator of endothelial dysfunction, may represent such a tool. Eleven patients with FH (three homozygous, eight heterozygous; Fredrickson type IIa, IIb) that have been monitored for 4.5+/-2.8 years were treated; eight by LDL-apheresis and three by hemorheopheresis. 40 sCD105 measurements were done, before and after two consecutive elimination procedures. Baseline serum sCD105 levels were significantly higher in the patients (5.74+/-1.47 microg/l in series I, 6.85+/-1.85 microg/l in series II) than in the control group (3.85+/-1.25 microg/l). They decreased to normal after LDL-elimination (p=0.0003) in all except for one patient. This return to normal was not due to a non-specific capture of endoglin in adsorption or filtration columns as demonstrated by measurement of sCD105 before and after passage through the elimination media. We conclude that the soluble endoglin levels in patients with severe FH remain elevated despite long-term intensive therapy and that they decrease after extracorporeal elimination. Endoglin can therefore serve as a marker for evaluation of the treatment efficacy and of the decreased atherosclerotic activity in patients with FH treated by extracorporeal LDL-cholesterol elimination.