Plaque Regression and Progenitor Cell Mobilization With Intensive Lipid Elimination Regimen (PREMIER), Phase I

The intensive LDL-lowering therapy uses LDL-apheresis in addition to the standard statin therapy. The device used in this study is the LIPOSORBER LA-15 System, manufactured by Kaneka Pharma America LLC. A filter separates plasma from whole blood, the Liposorber -columns remove LDL from the plasma. The system recombines plasma and blood cells and returns them into the patient's body. This procedure typically takes about 3 hours. The procedure provides an immediate reduction in a patient's lipid levels. A single apheresis treatment can lower LDL by more than 80%, but levels return to baseline within 3 weeks

The standard statin therapy of 40-80mg oral daily dose of Atorvastatin or other equivalent types of statin to lower LDL in blood for both randomized groups.