Apheresis
LDL apheresis halted coronary disease progression in a 50-year-old with refractory angina and high Lp(a), a case report (J Clin Lipidol 2012)
Original title: Low-density lipoprotein apheresis is effective in reducing lipoprotein(a) levels and in improving symptoms in a patient with refractory angina secondary to accelerated coronary artery disease
This case report describes a 50-year-old man with refractory angina whose coronary artery disease continued progressing despite optimal medical and surgical therapy. Aggressive reduction of his elevated Lp(a) using LDL apheresis successfully slowed progression of his coronary stenosis and provided durable relief of his angina symptoms. The authors note Lp(a) is rarely assayed or treated despite its link to cardiovascular disease risk, and present this case as evidence for the potential benefit of aggressive Lp(a) reduction via apheresis in similar refractory patients.
Original abstract
Coronary artery disease remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western world. High plasma Lp(a) concentrations are related to the risk of cardiovascular disease, but Lp(a) is rarely assayed and treated. We present the case of a 50-year-old gentleman with refractory angina, whose coronary disease continued to progress despite optimal medical and surgical therapy. We show that the aggressive reduction of Lp(a) successfully ameliorated the progression of coronary stenosis and provides effective and durable relief of symptoms.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.