Comparison of cytokine changes in three different lipoprotein apheresis systems in an ex vivo whole blood model.

Introduction: Even if proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors have replaced lipoprotein apheresis in many patients, lipoprotein apheresis still is an important option in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, progressive atherosclerosis or when removal of lipoprotein(a) is indicated. Additional possible favorable effects beyond lipid lowering could include changes in the concentration of cytokines and improvement of hemorheology.

Methods: We evaluated how whole blood adsorption, dextran sulfate plasma adsorption, and double filtration plasmapheresis lipoprotein apheresis systems affected cytokine concentrations, using a human whole blood ex vivo model differentiating the effect of the lipoprotein apheresis and plasma separation columns and describing temporal changes.

Addition of marine omega-3 fatty acids to statins in familial hypercholesterolemia does not affect in vivo or in vitro endothelial function.

Background: Prestatin trials reported positive effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) in cardiovascular disease, whereas recent studies and meta-analyses have not reproduced these results. The effect of n-3 PUFA in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a group with particularly high risk of cardiovascular disease, is not well established.

Objective: We investigated the effect of n-3 PUFA in the early stage of atherosclerosis in FH patients by evaluating in vivo (peripheral arterial tonometry [PAT]) and in vitro (plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine and E-selectin) endothelial function.

Telemonitoring and Quality of Life in Patients after 12 Months Following a Pacemaker Implant: the Nordland Study, a Randomised Trial.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients followed up using a remote device-monitoring system (TM) compared to patients followed up through standard outpatient visits (HM), 12 months after the implantation of a pacemaker. This was a trial design that used the EuroQol-5D Questionnaire and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHF). The HRQoL of a cohort of 50 consecutive patients randomly allocated to one of the two follow-up modalities was measured at baseline and then during follow-up, 12 months after the pacemaker implantation.

Health-related quality of life on tele-monitoring for users with pacemakers 6 months after implant: the NORDLAND study, a randomized trial.

Background: With an ageing population and widening indications for pacemakers implantation, the number of persons carrying an implant is steadily increasing. The routine follow-up is thus a heavy burden for the respective NHS as well as for the patients and their relatives. Most of them of the studies have been performed in densely populated areas and nearby to the hospital.

Granulocyte and monocyte CD11b expression during plasma separation is dependent on complement factor 5 (C5) - an ex vivo study with blood from a C5-deficient individual.

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of complement factor 5 (C5) in reactions elicited by plasma separation using blood from a C5-deficient (C5D) individual, comparing it to C5-deficient blood reconstituted with C5 (C5DR) and blood from healthy donors. Blood was circulated through an ex vivo plasma separation model. Leukocyte CD11b expression and leukocyte-platelet conjugates were measured by flow cytometry during a 30-min period.

LDL apheresis activates the complement system and the cytokine network, whereas PCSK9 inhibition with evolocumab induces no inflammatory response.

Background: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis is an extracorporeal treatment modality used in high-risk coronary patients. It may, however, induce complement activation and downstream inflammation due to bio-incompatibility.

Objective: We explored changes in soluble inflammatory markers when changing from LDL apheresis to the novel PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab.

Transition from LDL apheresis to evolocumab in heterozygous FH is equally effective in lowering LDL, without lowering HDL cholesterol.

Background And Aims: LDL apheresis is effective in reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) and clinical endpoints, however, the treatment is invasive and time consuming. In the present study, we explored lipid profiles and quality of life in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) when altering the treatment regimen from weekly LDL apheresis to bi-weekly evolocumab treatment.

Methods: Three patients with FH and coronary artery disease, established in LDL apheresis for 135 ± 13(SD) months, participated.

Complement profile and activation mechanisms by different LDL apheresis systems.

Extracorporeal removal of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by means of selective LDL apheresis is indicated in otherwise uncontrolled familial hypercholesterolemia. During blood-biomaterial interaction other constituents than the LDL particles are affected, including the complement system. We set up an ex vivo model in which human whole blood was passed through an LDL apheresis system with one of three different apheresis columns: whole blood adsorption, plasma adsorption and plasma filtration.

Three different LDL apheresis columns efficiently and equally reduce lipoprotein(a) concentrations in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and small apolipoprotein(a) particles.

Introduction: High levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] are associated with cardiovascular disease. In this study we determined apo(a) particle size and compared the Lp(a) reducing efficacy of three different LDL apheresis columns; DL-75, LA-15 and EC-50W in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH).

Results: Average Lp(a) concentration was reduced by 70%, 74% and 75% (all p<0.

Patient tolerance regarding different low-density lipoprotein apheresis columns: frequent minor side effects and high patient satisfaction.

Background: Side effects and patient satisfaction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis treatment has been less vigorously studied than hemodialysis treatment in end-stage renal failure.

Objective: In the present study we systematically compared three different LDL apheresis columns with respect to side effects and patient satisfaction.

Methods: Three patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia went through six treatments with each of the LDL apheresis columns DL-75, LA-15, and EC-50W.