Comparison of selectivity of LDL removal by double filtration and dextran-sulfate cellulose column plasmapheresis.

The possibility of selective removal of VLDL, IDL and LDL by double filtration (DF) and dextran-sulfate cellulose (DSC) column plasmapheresis was investigated in hypercholesterolemia. Two and a half liters of plasma were treated. Sixty six percent of TC and 68% of LDL-C were removed by DF plasmapheresis. The removal rate of HDL-C was 50% which was significantly lower than that of LDL-C. The removal rate of apoprotein A-I and A-II was also significantly lower than that of apoprotein B. Sixty percent of LDL-C and 61% of apoprotein B were removed by DSC column plasmapheresis while the decrease of HDL-C, apoprotein A-I and A-II was minimal. Therefore, DSC column plasmapheresis could remove atherogenic lipoproteins more selectively than DF plasmapheresis.