Lipid Apheresis: Reducing Cardiovascular Risk When Statins Are Not Enough

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Clinical Insights

Why elevated Lp(a) requires more than medication, and how lipid apheresis delivers measurable reductions.

Lipid Apheresis: Reducing Cardiovascular Risk When Statins Are Not Enough

The Lp(a) problem

Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a genetically determined cardiovascular risk factor that does not respond to statins, dietary changes, or exercise. Approximately 20% of the population carries elevated levels, significantly increasing risk of heart attack and stroke.

Unlike LDL cholesterol, Lp(a) levels are set by genetics. Lifestyle modification has minimal effect. Until recently, there was no effective intervention beyond managing other risk factors and hoping for the best.

How lipid apheresis works

Lipid apheresis selectively binds and removes Lp(a) and LDL particles from the blood using adsorption columns. A single session reduces Lp(a) by 50–70%. Regular sessions on a fortnightly or monthly schedule maintain levels within a significantly reduced range.

Clinical evidence

Long-term data from European registries demonstrate that patients on regular lipid apheresis experience substantially fewer major cardiovascular events. The procedure is well-tolerated, with sessions lasting approximately two hours. It is performed as an outpatient treatment with no recovery time required.

You cannot outrun your genetics. But you can intervene.

At Elysium, lipid apheresis is integrated into a broader cardiovascular risk management programme that includes advanced diagnostics, biotracking, and lifestyle optimisation guidance.

Lipid Apheresis: Reducing Cardiovascular Risk When Statins Are Not Enough