[Low-density lipoprotein apheresis in familial hypercholesterolemia resistant to intensive medical treatment]. / Aféresis de lipoproteínas de baja densidad en la hipercolesterolemia familiar resistente al tratamiento médico convencional intensivo.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to analyze the effect and security of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) apheresis in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) subjects who did not response to conventional intensive optimized medical treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven heterozygous FH subjects and one homozygous apoB familial defective were studied. All subjects were on secondary prevention with highest statins doses in association with other hypolipemiant drugs; the mean LDL-C reduction was 20%. All of them were treated with LDL apheresis (immunoabsorption) for a mean of 4.25 years. RESULTS: LDL apheresis resulted in a 68.3% decrease in LDL-C and 58.2% in apoB plasma values (P<.001). After an average of 3 years of follow-up, the cardiovascular events disappeared in 4 out of 5 symptomatic patients while in one patient the events were reduced in 75%. Four moderate side effects were reported in 820 apheresis procedures. CONCLUSIONS: LDL apheresis is a well-tolerated and safe treatment in FH patients who do not response to intensive conventional optimized medical treatment. The main limitation is its economical cost and low accessibility.