Platelet aggregation and lipoprotein levels in a patient with familial hypercholescholesterolemia after selective LDL-apheresis

platelet aggregation was studied in a patient with familial hypercholesterolemia immediately after aphereis selective for low-density lipoprotein (ldl), a lipid-lowering procedure.this treatment reduced plasmatic levels of total and ldl-cholesterol, apo b, and triglyceride. increased platelet aggregation was reduced immediately after the apheresis in whole blood as well as in platelet-rich plasma. however, aggregation in washed platelets remained unchanged after ldl-apheresis. in conclusion, in this patient reduction of ldl-cholesterol improved platelet function in the very short term.