Effect of Apheresis of Low-Density Lipoprotein on Peripheral Vascular Disease in Hypercholesterolemic Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

This study was a 2-year, open, randomized, single-center study of men with primary hypercholesterolemia and extensive coronary artery disease to determine whether the very aggressive lowering of LDL cholesterol levels with LDL apheresis plus simvastatin, a potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, has a better antiatherosclerotic effect than does the lowering of lipid levels to more conventional levels using simVastatin alone.

Abstract

Aggressive lipid lowering with simvastatin and LDL apheresis decreased the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery and prevented an increase in the number of hemodynamically significant stenoses in the lower limbs. Therapy with simvastatin alone did not prevent progression of carotid or aortotibial vascular disease.