Lipoprotein apheresis--more than just cholesterol reduction?

Lipoprotein apheresis is a well-established extracorporeal treatment in modality of severe hyperlipoproteinemia. Besides the reduction of LDL cholesterol and modifications to physiology of lipoprotein and lipid metabolism, Lipoprotein apheresis may have crucial effects on many other atherogenic factors as vascular inflammation, rheology and gene expressions in blood cells. These different effects of lipoprotein apheresis treatments are reviewed with respect to oxidative stress in plasma, red and white blood cells and in consequence to progression of atherosclerosis. However, in consideration of these reviewed aspects as a factor of biocompatibility lipoprotein apheresis remains safe.