?:definition
|
-
Therapeutic apheresis units designed to remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the blood. Typically, the unit includes a specialized filter that eliminates the LDL (including the very low-density [VLD]) cholesterol particles from the blood and two intravenous lines; one line is used to draw blood from one arm and the other to return the blood into the other arm after LDL cholesterol filtration. LDL cholesterol removal apheresis units are used periodically (e.g., every other week) when diet, exercise, and drugs do not provide an adequate treatment for high levels of cholesterol. Other blood products such as triglycerides and fibrinogen are also lowered with this apheresis treatment.
|