What are the clinical indications and major limitations of lipoprotein apheresis?

LDL apheresis is a procedure that selectively removes apo B-containing lipoproteins (so primarily LDL particles) from the circulation. Very simply - venous blood is withdrawn via IV, plasma separated by the machine (liposorber, FDA approved in the US), passed through a column which binds the apo B c...

Lipoprotein apheresis is indicated in the US by the FDA as an adjunct therapy in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia who have:

• LDL-C > 300 mg/dL
• LDL-C > 160 mg/dL with CVD
• Lp(a) > 60 mg/dL with CVD and LDL > 100 mg/dL

Apheresis acutely lowers all apoB-containing lipoproteins, including LDL, ...