Clinical trial of low density lipoprotein-apheresis for treatment of diabetic gangrene.

A 68-year-old man with a 28-year history of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) was admitted to our hospital because of foot gangrene. He had previously suffered from cerebral infarction resulting in right hemiplegia and his right foot was amputated because of right femoral lesion presenting diabetic foot gangrene 5 years previously. The diabetic foot gangrene gradually became worse, although he had received various medications. Then, we attempted to treat the patient with low density lipoprotein (LDL)-apheresis ten times a month. The foot gangrene itself and the local circulation around the gangrene lesion were remarkably improved after treatment with LDL-apheresis. We present here the first case of diabetic foot gangrene improved by LDL-apheresis. LDL-apheresis therapy is anticipated to be a new therapeutic approach for treatment of fatal foot gangrene associated with diabetes mellitus.