An initiative to establish apheresis centers: indications for and performance of lipoprotein apheresis in the Czech Republic
Abstract
Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) offers one of possible methods of treatment for patients with severe hypercholesterolemia - in particular homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) or severe non-familial hypercholesterolemias. It involves an extracorporeal elimination methodology, belonging in broader context to therapeutic apheresis procedures.
LA in combination with higher doses of statins, with ezetimibe and new drugs (mipomersen, lomitapide or monoclonal antibodies, inhibiting activity of proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 - alirocumab, evolocumab, and possibly others), is currently the most efficient method of treatment for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and statin-refractory patients with hypercholesterolemia (FH). To increase availability of this treatment in the Czech Republic, specialist societies engaging in therapeutic apheresis have developed the initiative to establish apheresis centers in the Czech Republic.
Through the concerted efforts of the professional societies engaged (Czech Society for Atherosclerosis, Society for Transfusion Medicine, Czech Society of Nephrology, Czech VitreoRetinal Society, Czech Ophthalmological Society, Czech Neurological Society, Society for Organ Transplantation, Czech Diabetes Society, Czech Transplantation Society and Czech Dermatovenerology Society), this initiative should lead to the establishment of apheresis centers in the Czech Republic. The apheresis centers within the initiative should form a platform creating organizational and other operational conditions for their specialist activities and provide a basis for the preparation of arguments to be used in discussions with health insurance companies.