Nursing Care of LDL Apheresis

Abstract

To deal with intractable hypercholesterolemia complicated by ischemic heart disease, LDL apheresis (LDL-AP) has been performed continually and problems concerning LDL-AP-treatment were examined.
Eight familial hypercholercholesterolemia patients and two diabetic nephropathy patients who underwent hemodialysis received LDL-AP twice a month amounting to a total of 150 times.
The following four points were listed as important problems.
1) Acquiring sufficient skill and technique in preparing and operating equipment 2) Devising methods to secure aceess for the bloodstream via a peripheral vein 3) Observing hemodynamics in detail during treatment 4) Introductory patient education to continue treatment without disturbing social rehabilitation
Nursing guidelines for LDL-treatment were made up with concern for these matters.