Selective apheresis of low-density lipoproteins in a child

Antanas Griškevičius, Judita Audzijonienė, Žaneta Petrulionienė¹, Aleksandras Laucevičius¹

Department of Therapeutic Apheresis, Santariškės Clinics of Vilnius University Hospital, ¹Clinic of Cardiology and Angiology, Vilnius University, Lithuania

Key words: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; familial hypercholesterolemia; child; direct adsorption of lipids.

Summary. The case of rear complicated homozygous hypercholesterolemia treated by a direct adsorption of lipoprotein apheresis procedure is presented in this article. In total, 30 sessions of direct adsorption of lipoprotein apheresis were performed on a 14–16-year-old patient from June 2004 to December 2006. Blood flow rate was 30–70 mL/min. Central and ulnar veins were punctured. Lipid levels were measured before and after lipid apheresis during each session throughout the study period. The mean decrease in total cholesterol level was 26.4–71.2% compared to baseline, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol – 31.9–72.2%, lipoprotein (a) – 56.6–90.9%, apolipoprotein B – 26.4–60.0%. Clinical procedures were completely uneventful. The last 26 sessions were performed in a day unit.

Correspondence to A. Griškevičius, Department of Therapeutic Apheresis, Santariškės Clinics of Vilnius University Hospital, Santariškių 2, 08661 Vilnius, Lithuania. E-mail: antanas.griskevicius@santa.lt

Received 4 June 2007, accepted 9 November 2007