Hypercholesterolemia

Dyslipidemias are pathological conditions characterized by an increase in plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, in some cases both, or low levels of HDL cholesterol contributing to the development of atherosclerosis. Causes can be primary (genetic) or secondary.

Specifically, primary hypercholesterolemia is a form of dyslipidemia characterized by elevated LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. It is genetic and caused by insufficient LDL receptor activity due to an alteration of the gene encoding this protein. Consequently, blood levels of LDL increase proportionally to the reduction in receptor activity, ranging from about 50% to 90-95%.

Treatment involves strict dietary control, physical exercise, lipid-lowering medications, and apheresis sessions aimed at removing excess LDL from the circulation.

Molecules to be removed: LDL
Recommended Therapies: Double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP), Cascade Filtration (CF)