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Article
Barriers to the Implementation of Lipoprotein Apheresis in Canada
The Canadian Journal of Cardiology
  • Guido Filler, Western University
  • Misan Lee, Western University
  • Robert A Hegele, Western University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2017
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjca.2017.01.008
Disciplines
Abstract

This article details the effectiveness of using lipoprotein apheresis (LA) rather than plasmapheresis in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), using results from the first HoFH pediatric patient treated with LA in Ontario. We further detail the barriers involved in adhering to international guidelines by implementing this as a first-line treatment for this condition in Ontario, and the potential savings that would be gained with treating the remaining HoFH patients in this province with LA. A primary barrier has been the division of responsibility that exists in Canada, where the delivery of medical services and the delivery of blood products are separated, artificially discounting the price of plasmapheresis and making it seem like the less expensive option. We would like to implement LA as a first-line therapy, to not only improve patient quality of life and outcomes, but to also to potentially save our federal and provincial governments' taxpayer money.

Citation Information
Guido Filler, Misan Lee and Robert A Hegele. "Barriers to the Implementation of Lipoprotein Apheresis in Canada" The Canadian Journal of Cardiology Vol. 33 Iss. 3 (2017) p. 409 - 411
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/guido-filler/24/