Korean J Med.
1998 Nov;55(5):971-976.
Report of a case: A case of medically resistant diabetic gangrene of foot which is healed by HELP (Heparin-mediated extracorporeal low density-lipoprotein cholesterol fibrinogen precipitation) therapy
- Affiliations
-
- 1Division of Cardiology, Yonsei Cardiovascular Center, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
- 2Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yonsei Cardiovascular Center, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- HELP (Heparin-mediated extracorporeal low-density lipoprotein fibrinogen precipitation) is an LDL apheresis system
which has been utilized as a last therapeutic option for drug resistant hypercholesterolemia. Recently the scope of the
treatment has been expanded to coronary artery obstructive disease (CAOD) or peripheral arterial obstructive
disease (PAOD) with dyslipidemia. We applied six sessions of HELP therapy with a week interval to a patient with
diabetic gangrene of both feet and PAOD who had elevated LDL-cholesterol and fibrinogen despite maximal drug
therapy. Lipids, Lp (a) and fibrinogen were measured on plasma samples before and after treatment. Changes of
symptoms and physical findings were reported before, immediately after and 3 month after treatment. In every session,
LDL cholesterol level was reduced more than 40%. Mean LDL cholesterols were reduced from 133.5 mg/dL to 55.0
mg/dL (59%). Total cholesterol (104.5 mg/dL;51% decrease), triglycerides (142.0 mg/dL;47% decrease) and Lp (a) (24.3
mg/dL; 58% decrease) levels were also reduced. Mean HDL cholesterol was reduced to 6.3 mg/dL (25%) with prompt
recovery to pretreatment level within one week. Mean fibrinogen decreased from 571.0 mg/dL to 253.3 mg/dL (58%)
without bleeding complications. Two episodes of dizziness with spontaneous resolution were observed during or over
three days after treatment. Two sessions of HELP made diabetic gangrene on toes improved. After six sessions, the
gangrenes showed near-complete healing. So we report a case of a patient who had persistent diabetic gangrene of both
feet despite proper revascularization, which was completely healed by HELP without significant side effects.