(h.e.l.p.)apheresis therapy to compare the reduction of ldl (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol

Conditions: Hypercholesterolemia

Summary: the primary objective of the study is to demonstrate that the performance of the modified plasmat® futura h.e.l.p. apheresis system is non-inferior to the current fda approved plasmat® secura h.e.l.p apheresis system for use under the approved indication of the acute reduction of ldl-cholesterol from the plasma in populations for whom diet has been ineffective and maximum drug therapy has either been ineffective or not tolerated.

the primary study endpoint is the change in percent measurements of the pre-to-post apheresis ldl measurements between the approved h.e.l.p. system and the modified h.e.l.p. system. the secondary study endpoints are clinical lab profiles and device parameters analyzed at specific time points throughout the study.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * subject is between 25 and 70 years of age (inclusive) at the time of randomization. * subject is an appropriate candidate for h.e.l.p. apheresis treatment for hypercholesterolemia according to current plasmat® secura approval criteria. * subject has received a minimum of two consecutive bi-monthly\* h.e.l.p. apheresis treatments using the plasmat® secura apheresis system \>30 days prior to the screening visit. * subject is willing to maintain cholesterol lowering dietary and drug therapies as prescribed through the course of the study. * subject is willing and able to provide written informed consent and health insurance portability and accountability act (hipaa) waiver. * sterile, post-menopausal, or using acceptable birth control for the duration of the study. acceptable birth control is defined as having a vasectomized, postmenopausal, or sterile partner; the ongoing use of approved hormonal contraceptives, barrier method, or an intrauterine device; or abstinence. * every 14 days (±2 days) exclusion criteria: * a history of a known sensitivity to heparin or ethylene oxide. * a history of hemorrhagic diathesis, bleeding/clotting disorder, thrombocytopenia (defined as platelet count \< 150 x109/l), or for whom the use of heparin would cause excessive or uncontrolled anticoagulation or for whom adequate anticoagulation cannot be safely achieved (ie., hemophilia, recent surgery, acute internal bleeding, gastrointestinal ulcers). * females who are pregnant or lactating. * subjects\ 1.5 times their ideal weight. * certain cardiac impairments such as congestive heart failure, major arrhythmia, or diastolic blood pressure greater than 100 mm/hg on two separate occasions at least 24 hours apart. * renal insufficiency defined as creatinine greater \>2.0 mg/dll or is dependent upon renal dialysis. * untreated hypothyroidism; uncontrolled diabetes mellitus; or fasting triglycerides \>500 mg/dl. * serious systemic disease (e.g., advanced neoplasms, and acute hepatitis) including immune system suppression or compromise, that could preclude survival to study completion. * history of stroke within 6 months of the screening visit. * received thrombolytic treatment \< 7 days of screening.visit. * taken or requires a prohibited treatment \< 30 days prior to the screening visit, or requires a prohibited treatment at anytime during the course of the study. * neutropenia (neutrophil count \< 0.5 x109/l). * history of liver disease or serum alt and/or ast \> 2x upper limit of normal range. * history of dementia. * history of anemia (value outside the lower normal range). * acetyl salicylic acid (asa) \> 325 mg/day. * subject currently enrolled in another investigational study (does not apply to pms for secura device). * subject with any other medical condition that in the opinion of the investigator might put the subject at risk or interfere with his/her participation. * subject is unwilling or unable to comply with the protocol or to cooperate fully with the investigator or site personnel.

Keywords: heparin extracorporeal low density lipo-protein (ldl) cholesterol apheresis device