View source for LDL apheresis

{{Short description|Medical procedure to remove LDL in blood}}
{{Infobox medical intervention
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| specialty    =hematology
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In [[medicine]], '''LDL apheresis''' is a form of [[apheresis]], resembling [[Kidney dialysis|dialysis]], to eliminate the [[cholesterol]]-containing particle [[low-density lipoprotein]] (LDL) from the bloodstream.

==Uses==
It is used in diseases featuring high LDL, such as the [[rare disease|rare]] ''homozygous'' [[familial hypercholesterolemia]], when the ''heterozygous'' form does not respond to medical treatment, or when the treatment has led to dangerous [[Adverse effect (medicine)|side-effects]] (such as [[rhabdomyolysis]]).

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 column containing beads coated with [[antibody|antibodies]] to [[apolipoprotein B]] (the main protein of LDL particles), [[dextran]] [[sulfate]] cellulose beads, modified [[polyacrylate]] beads, or by precipitating [[LDL]] with [[heparin]] at low [[pH]], double membrane filtration or [[immunoadsorption]] utilizing Lp(a)-specific antibodies. In all cases (apart from polyacrylate absorption), [[blood plasma|plasma]] is separated from [[blood cell|cells]] by a [[cell separator]].

==References==
* Gordon BR, ''Incorporation of Low-Density Lipoprotein Apheresis into the Treatment Program of Patients With Severe Hypercholesterolemia''. Current Atherosclerosis Reports 2000;2:308-313. {{PMID|11122759}}.
* 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.apheresis.org Official website] of [[American Society for Apheresis|American Society for Apheresis (ASFA)]]

[[Category:Medical treatments]]