Inflammation plays a major role in atherosclerosis. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) a multifunctional pattern-recognition protein, is expressed in many tissues/cells, including innate immunity cells, endothelium and atherosclerotic plaques. Its role is controversial: it may exert protective cardiovascular effects and/or it may be an indicator of plaque vulnerability and future cardiovascular risk. LDL-Apheresis removes apoB100-containing lipoproteins and it can prevent progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). LDL-Apheresis exerts non-lipidic beneficial effects on the procoagulatory state and on hemorheology. No data exist about the effects of LDL-Apheresis on plasma PTX3 levels.
Hypercholesterolemic patients with documented CAD, on chronic fortnightly LDL-apheresis treatment will be enrolled in this study. Blood samples will be collected before and after a single LDL-Apheresis treatment to asses PTX3, HsCRP, IL6, IL10, Fibrinogen and lipid plasma levels.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
12
The acronym H.E.L.P. stands for Heparin-induced Extracorporeal Low-density-lipoprotein Precipitation. Antecubital veins served as blood access. The mean blood volume processed per session is of approximately 3000 ml.
Endocrinologia e Malattie Metaboliche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona
Verona, Piazzale Stefani1, Italy
acute change in PTX3 plasma values
blood samples will be collected before and after a single LDL-apheresis treatment
Time frame: before and at the end of one LDL-apheresis treatment (about 6 hours)
acute change in hsCRP
blood samples will be collected before and after a single LDL-apheresis treatment
Time frame: before and at the end of one LDL-apheresis treatment (about 6 hours)
acute change in IL6 and IL10
blood samples will be collected before and after a single LDL-apheresis treatment
Time frame: before and at the end of one LDL-apheresis treatment (about 6 hours)
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