Cardiovascular Disease

According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally. There are millions suffering from the effects of cardiovascular disease.¹

Many are taking medications, modifying their diet, and still not hitting their therapeutic target.

Cardiovascular Conditions

High Cholesterol

Almost 2 in 5 adults in the US have high cholesterol (total blood cholesterol > 200mg/dl). This can lead to deposits in your blood vessels that can put you at risk for heart attack and stroke. They are the two leading causes of death in the US.²

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH)

Known as FH, familial hypercholesterolemia is a common life-threatening genetic condition that causes high cholesterol and, if untreated, can lead to early heart disease and an increased risk of heart attack. This is due to a mutation in one of the genes that control the way cholesterol is cleared by the body. FH is one of the most common diseases compared with other inherited disorders.³ An estimated 1 in 250 Americans have FH, however, 70 percent may not have been accurately diagnosed.⁴

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a very common condition and is the main underlying cause of heart attack and stroke. Over the age of 40, people in good health have about a 50 percent chance of developing serious atherosclerosis, with the risk increasing with age. Most people over the age of 60 have some atherosclerosis but may not have noticeable symptoms. ⁵

Elevated Lp(a)

Elevated Lp(a) is a type of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol. Lipoproteins are made of protein and fat. They carry cholesterol through your blood. High levels of Lp(a) can create plaque in your blood vessels and buildup that lessens blood flow through your arteries.⁶ Nearly 1 in 5 individuals are affected by elevated Lp(a) in the United States.⁷

Risk Factors

Who is at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease?

You may be at risk for cardiovascular disease if you have:²

A family history of cardiovascular disease
A close relative who suffered from a heart attack
A close relative who suffered from a heart attack at 40-50 years of age
High blood pressure
High cholesterol or dyslipidemia
Diabetes
Lifestyle choices including smoking or inactivity
Obesity

Who is at Risk for FH?

The risk of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is higher if one or both of your parents have the gene alteration that causes it. Most people with FH have one affected gene. But in rare cases, a child can get the affected gene from both parents. This can cause a more severe form of the condition. FH may be more common in certain populations such as:³

Ashkenazi Jews
French Canadians
Some Lebanese groups

Who is at Risk for Elevated Lp(a)?

High Lp(a) levels run in families. If one of your family members has high Lp(a), talk to your doctor about having your Lp(a) levels checked. High Lp(a) levels, defined as greater than 50 mg/dL (125 nmol/L), are common. High Lp(a) is seen in people of all races and ethnicities but appears to be more common in Black people. Many people with high Lp(a) have no symptoms. However, your doctor may suspect that you have high Lp(a) if you have any of the following risk factors:7

Poor circulation in your legs (called peripheral arterial disease)
Heart attack, stroke, or coronary artery disease before age 55 (in men) or age 65 (in women) without known risk factors, such as high LDL, smoking, diabetes, or obesity
Female family members who had a heart attack or stroke before age 65
Male family members who had a heart attack or stroke before age 55
Familial hypercholesterolemia
Certain types of aortic stenosis

How will I know if I have FH and/or high Lp(a)?

In order to determine if you have FH and/or high Lp(a), you can speak to your doctor and you can request a simple blood test or refer to The Family Heart Foundation’s diagnostic criteria.

LIPOSORBER® as a Treatment Option

About LIPOSORBER

LIPOSORBER was developed to treat cardiovascular diseases of the heart and blood vessels. It has proven to reduce coronary events by 72 percent.⁸ The treatment is designed when diet or drug therapies fail to achieve the recommended therapeutic targets.⁹

Indications For Use

The LIPOSORBER® LA-15 System is indicated for use in performing low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) apheresis to acutely remove LDL-C from the plasma of the following high risk patient populations for whom diet has been ineffective and maximum drug therapy has been either ineffective or not tolerated:

Group A. Clinically diagnosed Familial Hypercholesterolemic Homozygotes with LDL-C > 500 mg/dL;
Group B. Clinically diagnosed Familial Hypercholesterolemic Heterozygotes with LDL-C ≥ 300 mg/dL;
Group C. Clinically diagnosed Familial Hypercholesterolemic Heterozygotes with LDL-C ≥ 100 mg/dL and either documented coronary artery disease or documented peripheral artery disease; and
Group D. Clinically diagnosed Familial Hypercholesterolemic Heterozygotes with LDL-C ≥ 100 mg/dL, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] ≥60 mg/dL and either documented coronary artery disease or documented peripheral artery disease.

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