Introduction: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a marker for cardiovascular disease, involved in pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis. In selected high-risk patients, lipoprotein-apheresis could optimize secondary prevention and improve prognosis.
Aim: We presented the case of a 49-year-old man with high lipoprotein (a) levels and recurrent cardiac adverse events, despite maximal pharmacological therapy.
Case report: Four years before the admission at our Centre, he presented an anterior STEMI, treated with angioplasty and implantation of a drug eluting stent on left anterior descending artery, at the age of 47 years, in September 2012; one month later, the patients presented a new episode of angina, and exams showed a critical stenosis in the right coronary artery, treated by angioplasty and implantation of drug eluting stent. Because of high Lp(a) plasma levels, patient was subsequently on regularly 7-10 day lipoprotein apheresis.
Results and discussion: A thrombophilic screening was performed, showing the simultaneous presence of heterozygous V Leiden mutation and prothrombin G20210A mutation. He referred to our Centre in order to optimize therapy; we performed an endothelial function assessment showing a severe dysfunctional pattern.
Because of these findings, we prescribed dual antiplatelet therapy, and we added omega-3 fatty acids and association with nicotinic acid/laropiprant. According with current guidelines, considering the high risk of bleeding, we preferred not to administer anticoagulant therapy. At 6-month and 1-year follow up the patient continued lipoprotein apheresis and was asymptomatic for other cardiovascular events.
Conclusions: The assessment for the eventual presence of thrombophilia might become a useful tool in clinical practice for high-risk selected patients.
Introduction: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are involved in vascular repair and proliferation, contributing to the long-term outcomes of apheretic treatment. Aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between endothelial function, assessed by levels of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells and endothelial response to hyperaemia, and clinical and biohumoral parameters in high vascular risk patients before, immediately after, 24-hours and 72 hours after a single lipid apheresis procedure.
Material and Methods: We evaluated lipid profile, endothelial function and endothelial progenitor cells before (T0), immediately after (T1), 24h after (T2) and 72h after (T3) a lipoprotein apheresis procedure, in 8 consecutive patients [Sex: 62.5% M; Age; 63.29(12), mean, (range) years] with a personal history of acute coronary syndrome, symptomatic peripheral arterial disease and elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)]. Patients were on regularly weekly or biweekly lipoprotein apheresis, and they were treated with the FDA-approved Heparin-induced Extracorporeal LDL Precipitation (H.E.L.P.) (Plasmat Futura, B.Braun, Melsungen, Germany) technique. PAT values were expressed as the natural logarithm (Ln-RHI, normal values≥0.4) of the reactive hyperaemia index (RHI), which is the parameter automatically calculated by the device.
Results: We found a reduction in the natural logarithm of reactive hyperaemia index (Ln-RHI), assessed immediately after the procedure (0.57±0.21 vs 0.72± 0.29); difference between T2 and T0 was statistically significant (0.43±0.24 vs 0.72±0.29; p=0.006). Reduction in Ln-RHI values was documented in all patients, two subjects showing a Ln-RHI<0.4 at T1, and four at T2. At T3, PAT values were increased significantly (0.91±0.18) in comparison to T1 and T2, showing a median value higher than at T0. Cd34+/Kdr+ and Cd133+/Kdr+ showed a minimum increase in median values at T1, and a higher increase at T2, in comparison to baseline. Differences in Cd34+/133+/Kdr+ values at different times were not statistically significant. A significant reduction in circulating endothelial cells (CEC) count at T2 in comparison to T0 was found (12.00±8.85 vs 23.86±12.39; p=0.024).
Discussion: At 24h and 72h after procedures, we found an improvement in endothelial function, expressed by an increase in PAT values and EPC levels, and by a reduction in CEC.
“It was a delightful experience publishing my manuscript with the Clinical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. They offered me lots of opportunities I never had from most publishing houses and their prompt services are greatly appreciated.”
Department of Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Extension, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Akowuah Jones Asafo
Submission of paper was smooth, the review process was fast. I had excellent communication and on time response from the editor.
Ayokunle Dada
Archives of Vascular Medicine is one of the top class journal for vascular medicine with highly interesting topics.
You did a professional and great Job!
Elias Noory
This is to specify that I have had an extensive and detailed interaction with the Editorial team of Annals of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, USA, lasting over a significant period of time. My interaction has been extremely pleasant, especially with Ms Allie Smith, as I find the communication quite inspiring and crystal clear. The attitude of aforesaid individuals is quite helpful and guiding in pertinent instances. It has been a commemorative journey so far working with the Journal and I hope that the symbiosis will continue, evolve and flourish in the forthcoming years.
I wish the journal, related personnel and aforementioned individuals a fruitful, successful run.
New Delhi, India
Anubha Bajaj
Submission of paper was smooth, the review process was fast. I had excellent communication and on time response from the editor.
Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
Ayokunle Dada
“It was a delightful experience publishing my manuscript with the Clinical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. They offered me lots of opportunities I never had from most publishing houses and their prompt services are greatly appreciated.”
Asafo Jones
I would like to mention that I had a wonderful experience working with HSPI. The whole process right from manuscript submission to peer review till the publication of the article was very prompt & efficient. I wish you good luck for the future.
Amarjeet Gambhir
I wanna to thank clinical journal of nursing care and practice for its effort to review and publish my manuscript. This is reputable journal. Thank you!
Wollo University, Ethiopia
Atsedemariam Andualem
The service from the journal staff has been excellent.
Andy Smith
Congratulations for the excellence of your journal and high quality of its publications.
If you are already a member of our network and need to keep track of any developments regarding a question you have already submitted, click "take me to my Query."