Actual situation of lipoprotein apheresis in patients with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels.

Actual situation of lipoprotein apheresis in patients with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels. Atheroscler Suppl. 2019 Dec;40:1-7 Authors: Julius U, Tselmin S, Schatz U, Fischer S, Birkenfeld AL, Bornstein SR Abstract An elevation of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an internationally recognized atherogenic risk factor, documented in epidemiological studies, in studies with Mendelian randomization and in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). At present, no drug is available to effectively reduce its concentration. In Germany, an elevation of Lp(a) associated with progressive cardiovascular diseases is officially recognized as an indication for a lipoprotein apheresis (LA). The number of patients who were treated with LA with this abnormality was steadily increasing in the years 2013-2016 - the official data are reported. In all new patients, who started to be treated at our LA center in 2017 (n = 20) the increased Lp(a) was a main indication for extracorporeal therapy, though some of them also showed clearly elevated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations despite being treated with a maximal tolerated lipid-lowering drug therapy. A diabetes mellitus was seen in 5 patients. The higher was the Lp(a) level before the first LA session, the higher was the cardiovascular risk. Lp(a) concentrations measured before LA sessions were usually about 20% lower than those before the start of the LA therapy. Acutely, Lp(a) levels were reduced by about 7...
Source: Atherosclerosis Supplements - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Atheroscler Suppl Source Type: research