LDL-apheresis significantly reduces urinary apo(a) excretion.

Increased plasma Lp(a) is an established risk factor for atherosclerosis. We recently described the presence of apo(a) fragments in urine and the significant correlation between urinary apo(a) concentrations and plasma Lp(a). Here we investigated urinary apo(a) in patients suffering from familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), treated with LDL apheresis. Before treatment, plasma Lp(a) levels and urinary apo(a) normalized to creatinine were > 2-fold increased in FH patients (P < 0.0001) as compared to controls. LDL-apheresis led to a reduction of plasma Lp(a) by 75% and a concomitant immediate reduction of urinary apo(a) by 45%. We conclude that a steady state condition for urinary apo(a) is rapidly achieved via LDL-apheresis.