Low-Density Lipoprotein Adsorption by Centrifugal Plasma Separation Can Shorten Treatment Time

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis is effective for nephrotic syndrome in drug-resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Dextran sulfate adsorption of LDL (DSAL) is widely used for this purpose. The Liposorber LA-15 system performs DSAL by membrane plasma separation (mDSAL) using an MA-03 plasma purification device. However, sufficient blood flow (Qb) frequently cannot be obtained from a peripheral vein with mDSAL. The recommended plasma filtration flow rate (Qf) when using the OP-05W membrane plasma separator is no more than 1/3 of Qb, giving plasma removal efficiency (PRE) of about 30%. In contrast, the centrifugal blood component separator Spectra Optia has PRE of 87–92.5% because centrifugal separation enables effective separation of plasma components even at low Qb. Here, we present the case of a man in his 40s with FSGS, for whom we began treatment with mDSAL with the intention of completing a 12-session cycle, but extended treatment times were required due to low Qb. Therefore, we switched to DSAL by centrifugation (cDSAL) using the Liposorber LA-40 system from the 6th session onward. Treatment time decreased from 190 min for the fifth session using mDSAL to 140 min for the sixth session using cDSAL. Mean treatment time also decreased from 155 ± 9 min for mDSAL (5 sessions) to 119 ± 20 min for cDSAL (7 sessions). Moreover, the LDL removal rate at a processed plasma volume was similar for both modalities. In conclusion, cDSAL can enable efficient plasma separation even with low Qb, with a comparable LDL removal rate and shorter treatment time relative to mDSAL.