Retrospective analysis of long-term lipid apheresis at a single center.

We retrospectively analyzed 10 906 lipid apheresis sessions (heparin-induced lipoprotein precipitation, direct adsorption of lipoproteins, double filtration plasmapheresis, dextran sulfate adsorption, and immunoadsorption) in 38 patients who were consecutively treated in our department during the last 20 years. The incidences of major cardiovascular events (MACE) (death, cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, limb amputation, and renal vascular involvement) were taken separately as primary end-points or as a combined end-point. The time-course of secondary end-points (coronary and extracranial status of arteries, left ventricular function, occlusive artery disease, and calculated glomerular filtration rate [cGFR]) were also evaluated, as well as the extent of the reduction in plasma lipids and lipoproteins and the incidence of therapy associated side-effects.