Apheresis in the treatment of cholesterol embolic disease.

Abstract

Cholesterol embolic disease is a devastating complication of atherosclerosis. Universally recommended treatment is lacking thus far. Recent data suggest that a therapeutic protocol aimed at specifically combating three causes of mortality, recurrent bouts of cholesterol embolism, cardiac failure, and cahexia, were associated with a favorable clinical outcome. As for drug therapy, corticosteroid has been reported to be beneficial in reducing local and general inflammatory responses. Concerning apheresis, combined therapy consisting of plasma exchange and low to intermediate-dose corticosteroid therapy has been shown to be effective in multivisceral cholesterol embolism. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis has been reported to be beneficial for cholesterol embolism-induced damage to the skin and brain.

• Authors: Midori Hasegawa, Satoshi Sugiyama
• Journal: Therapeutic apheresis and dialysis : official peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (Ther Apher Dial) Vol. 7 Issue 4 Pg. 435-8 (Aug 2003) ISSN: 1744-9979 [Print] Australia
• PMID: 12887728 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Lipoproteins, LDL

Topics

• Aged
• Embolism, Cholesterol (etiology, mortality, therapy)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Hyperlipidemias (complications)
• Lipoproteins, LDL (blood)
• Male
• Plasmapheresis (methods)
• Risk Assessment
• Severity of Illness Index
• Survival Analysis
• Treatment Outcome