Murat Albayrak1, Abdulkerim Yıldız2, Neşe Ateş3, Çiğdem Pala1. 1. University of Health Sciences, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Department of Hematology, Ankara, Turkey. 2. University of Health Sciences, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Department of Hematology, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: akerim@hotmail.com. 3. University of Health Sciences, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Department of Hematology, Therapeutic Apheresis Unit, Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Different modalities of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis are used to treat patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The aim of this study was to describe the efficacy of the Double Filtration Plasmapheresis (DFPP) method for FH cases in our hands and to compare with other LDL apheresis techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted between January 2016 and January 2018 in the University of Health Sciences, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Adult Hematology Clinic and Therapeutic Apheresis Unit. The study included 5 patients with a diagnosis of homozygous FH. A total of 288 DFFP procedures were performed twice a month (every 15 days) for 2 years. RESULTS: The percentage reductions in Lipoprotein A, total cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein-C, High Density Lipoprotein-C and triglyceride levels were found to be 84%, 69.2%, 69.8%, 58.8% and 50.1% respectively (5 cases, n = 288). No cardiac event occurred after the initiation of LA with DFPP. CONCLUSION: DFPP is an effective and safe LA method that can be used in the treatment of homozygous FH patients who do not respond to diet and statin therapy.
INTRODUCTION: Different modalities of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis are used to treat patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The aim of this study was to describe the efficacy of the Double Filtration Plasmapheresis (DFPP) method for FH cases in our hands and to compare with other LDL apheresis techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted between January 2016 and January 2018 in the University of Health Sciences, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Adult Hematology Clinic and Therapeutic Apheresis Unit. The study included 5 patients with a diagnosis of homozygous FH. A total of 288 DFFP procedures were performed twice a month (every 15 days) for 2 years. RESULTS: The percentage reductions in Lipoprotein A, total cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein-C, High Density Lipoprotein-C and triglyceride levels were found to be 84%, 69.2%, 69.8%, 58.8% and 50.1% respectively (5 cases, n = 288). No cardiac event occurred after the initiation of LA with DFPP. CONCLUSION:DFPP is an effective and safe LA method that can be used in the treatment of homozygous FHpatients who do not respond to diet and statin therapy.