Plasmaperfusion
During this procedure, the plasma is first separated from the whole blood by filtration. LDL cholesterol and Lp(a) are removed from plasma by a regenerative system of 2 columns, the LIPOSORBER® LA-15 columns. While one of the columns is purifying the plasma, the other one is being washed and regenerated to full lipid reduction capacity. This process can be repeated theoretically endlessly during the entire treatment. After LDL cholesterol and Lp(a) have been reduced from the plasma, it is recombined with the blood and returned to the patient.
1. Access to Blood
Usually arm veins are used for the treatment, in which blood is taken from one arm and pumped through the LIPOSORBER® LA-15 system. The blood is returned to the patient by the other arm.
2. Anticoagulation (Blood Thinning)
Anticoagulation is necessary for all treatments in which blood is extracorporeal. Heparin is used to prevent blood clotting.
3. Removal of LDL and Lp(a)
After the blood is anticoagulated, it enters the LIPOSORBER® LA-15 system. All parts, getting in contact with the patient’s blood, are sterile, used for one treatment only and are discarded after the treatment is completed. The first step of the treatment is the separation of plasma from the whole blood. Afterwards, the plasma flows to one of the two dextran sulfate adsorption columns, which removes the LDL and Lp(a).
4. Blood Return
After the LDL cholesterol and Lp(a) are removed, the plasma is recombined with the other blood components and then returned to the patient.
The entire procedure takes approximately 2-3 hours.
The double-column LIPOSORBER® LA-15 plasmapheresis system, which can be regenerated for the repetitive use during a single treatment. The LIPOSORBER® LA-15 treatment requires the use of a MA-03 machine as operating device.
Flow scheme – LIPOSORBER® LA-15