Inclusion Criteria:  Inclusion criteria for lipoprotein apheresis in accordance with regulations of the German Federal Joint Committee of physicians and medical insurance companies (G-BA; Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss der Ärzte und Krankenkassen) are either:  homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or severe hypercholesterolemia in patients after 12 month of dietary intervention and maximal lipid-lowering drug therapy with regard on the overall risk profile of the patient or Lp(a) levels > 120 nmol/L in patients with progressive cardiovascular disease after unsuccessful intervention with established methods of treatment  Mandatory for inclusion of patients for lipoprotein apheresis is a comprehensive cardiological, angiological and lipidological pre-examination.  (Deutsches Ärzteblatt 100 (2003), 1595; Deutsches Ärzteblatt 105 (2008), 1778)  Exclusion Criteria:  Patients after transplantation Immunosuppressive therapy (including intake of glucocorticoids within four weeks prior to sample collection) uncontrolled arterial hypertension (>180/110 mm Hg) epilepsy acute malignant and infectious diseases liver disease (gamma-GT > 1.8 μmol/L×s, ALAT > 1.5 μmol/L×s), severe renal dysfunction (GFR < 30 ml/min per 1.73 m2) smoking hypersensitivity against heparin participation in another study