Treatment of homozygous patients with familial hypercholesterolemia by double-filtration plasmapheresis.

Two homozygous patients with familial hypercholesterolemia were treated by double-filtration plasmapheresis. The plasma separated by the first filter was subsequently led to the second filter of ethylene vinylalcohol co-polymer hollow fibers, which trap very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) preferentially to other plasma constituents. Serum, VLDL, IDL, LDL cholesterol levels decreased by 55, 68, 59 and 55%, respectively. HDL cholesterol levels decreased by 39%. Immunoglobulins and fibrinogen levels decreased significantly. Cutaneous and tendinous xanthomas became smaller. off