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

is an effective lipid-lowering treatment in hypercholester olemic patients who have coronary artery disease and are refractory to drugs. More aggressive lipid-lowering ther apy may further slow the progression of atherosclerosis. Objective: To compare the effect of LDL apheresis and simvastatin therapy with the effect of simvastatin therapy alone on the progression of peripheral vascular disease. Conclusions: 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 pre vent progression of carotid or aortotibial vascular disease