Impact of the German Lipoprotein Apheresis Registry (DLAR) on therapeutic options to reduce increased Lp(a) levels

BACKGROUND: The German Lipoprotein Apheresis Registry (DLAR) has been initiated by members of the Nephrology Foundation (WiNe), the German association of kidney centres (DN), the German society of nephrology (DGfN) and additional medical associations taking part in the apheresis working group. Its goal is the introduction of a substantial database, suitable to provide statistical evidence for the assessment of extracorporeal procedures. Data have been added to the DLAR since October 2011. In this article, preliminary results are first reported. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data are stored on a secured Internet platform. The recorded information comprises mean values and rates of change in lipid levels (cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) before and after apheresis therapy, blood/plasma volume, frequency and type of adverse effects, medication, vascular events, diagnoses and comorbidity. It is collected by participating apheresis centres from all over Germany. Up until October 2014, a total of 7946 lipoprotein apheresis (LA) treatments of 991 patients (787 with documented LDL-C and 688 with documented Lp(a) levels) via 96 medical accounts were documented and analysed. The current share of Lp(a) patients is 50.6 % (Lp(a) ≥ 60 mg/dl; n = 348/688). For both LDL-C and Lp(a), lowering rates exceeding 60 % have been observed. Likely in conjunction with these reduction rates, the preliminary analysis shows a 90 % decline in major adverse coronary events (MACE) as well as a decrease in major adverse non-coronary events (MANCE) by 69 %. As before, good tolerability and low rates of adverse effects (< 3 %) of LA therapy were found. CONCLUSIONS: The available numbers suggest in parts very good response by the participating centres to the DLAR. Unfortunately, there are also centres that have not documented any patients so far or LA treatments at all. The benchmark values for reduction rates in lipoprotein concentration required by the directives of the German Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) have all been met. The decrease in MACE and MANCE rates currently observed is very promising. However, the comparably short runtime of the registry does not allow for high confidence in the current results. Certainly, reliable data will be extractable in the coming years. Given the high interest expressed by European neighbours, the extension of the registry to the European level should be a future goal for the DLAR as well.