Early-onset plasmapheresis and LDL-apheresis provide better disease control for pediatric homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia than HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and ameliorate atherosclerosis.

Plasmapheresis (PA) and low-density lipoprotein apheresis (LDL-A) were assessed in five children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HFH) previously receiving statins. LDL-A required smaller extracorporeal blood volumes. Mean HDL-cholesterol reduction post-procedure was 32% and 60% with LDL-A and PA, respectively.