Abstract
We have recognized marked effectiveness for intermittent claudication with low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis in two cases of arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). The Case 1 was a 73‐year‐old man with intermittent claudication of both lower extremities (Fontaine class II), digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed complete obstruction of the left common iliac artery, formation of a collateral to the peripheral portion of the left common iliac artery, and diffuse stenosis of the peripheral portion of the right common iliac artery. Ten sessions of LDL apheresis (LDL‐A) improved the walking distance from 100 m before to 600 m after LDL‐A treatment. The Case 2 was a 61‐year‐old man with intermittent claudication of the left lower extremity (walking distance: 200 m) began at 59 years. DSA revealed diffuse stenosis of the peripheral portion of the left popliteal artery. Ten sessions of LDL‐A improved the walking distance from 200 m before to 800 m after LDL‐A. At one month after the end of LDL‐A treatment, DSA revealed formation of collateral to the peripheral portion of the left popliteal artery. Our findings suggest that LDL‐A combined with drug treatment is safe and useful for the treatment of ASO, especially walking distance improved with short term treatment. J. Clin. Apheresis. 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.