A 4 year-old male patient was referred to our institution by a dermatologist because of the gradually increasing number of xanthomas on the knees, elbows, and buttocks that first appeared when he was 3 years old. He was born after an uneventful pregnancy and delivery as the second child of apparently non-consanguineous parents. The family history for premature CVD was negative. His early development was normal. Extremely high levels of TC (24.8 mmol/L; 928 mg/dl), LDL-C (21.6 mmol/L; 834 mg/dl), and triglycerides (TGC) (5.0 mmol/L; 443 mg/dl) and low levels of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) (0.3 mmol/L; 11.6 mg/dl) were measured at the first exam. Elevated levels of TC and LDL-C were also found in his parents, sister, and daughter (afterward) (). The clinical and biochemical picture suggested the diagnosis of HoFH, which was later confirmed genetically; a previously described homozygous mutation c.1754T>C (p.Ile585Thr) was found in the patient, while both his parents, his sister, and daughter were confirmed to be heterozygotes for the same mutation. Despite treatment with a highly restrictive diet, cholestyramine, statins, and LDL-apheresis (the exact timeline is described in , ), xanthomas extended progressively. At 7 years, increased IMT of the common carotid artery was measured with ultrasound. At 12 years, echocardiographically valvular aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation were observed. Levels of LDL-C at the time of LDL-apheresis ranged from 2.4 to 11.6 mmol/L (92.8–449 mg/dl) in between treatments. Lp(a) levels ranged from 756 mg/L at the beginning to 135 mg/L after the last treatment. He refused to have apheresis for 3 years, but with psychological support, he continued.\nDue to progressive worsening conditions (valvular aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation), the patient underwent deceased-donor orthotopic LT when he was 16 years old. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The patient's immunosuppression regimen first consisted of tacrolimus, methylprednisolone, and ursodeoxycholic acid, but the steroid was gradually tapered. Six months after the LT, the patient's xanthomas had regressed, and the TC levels have fallen to 5.2 mmol/L (201 mg/dl). A year and a half after the LT, the TC level was at the lowest value [4.4 mmol/L (170 mg/dl)]. Two years after the LT, an episode of acute rejection developed, which was successfully treated with steroids, and the TC level was measured at 5.1 mmol/L (197 mg/dl).\nEight years after the LT, the patient who was then 24 years old was doing well. The patient had been on maintaining tacrolimus therapy. His cutaneous xanthomas completely resolved. An echocardiogram showed complete regression of aortic stenosis, and his IMT was in the normal range (0.6 mm on both common carotid arteries). His TC and LDL-C levels were 5.4 and 3.9 mmol/L, respectively (209 and 151 mg/dl), and Lp(a) levels were 111 mg/L. His LDL-C levels were lower than the LDL-C levels measured on the same occasion in his parents and sister (). Twelve years after the LT, the PWV velocity was measured with ultrasound, and the values were in the normal range (4.6 ± 0.2 m/s) The RHI was 2.46.\nAfterward, the patient was not responding to the invitations from our clinic for almost 5 years (at that time, he was only seeing his gastroenterologist) and returned for a follow-up visit only in the year 2018, almost 14 years after the LT. The total regression of xanthomas was evident at the last visit. At that point, he was almost 30 years old, employed, and had a child who was scheduled for a later visit at our lipid clinic and was confirmed to be heterozygote for the same mutation. His work was mostly sedentary, and he was not very physically active. In addition, he started smoking. He was still taking tacrolimus, but no antilipemic treatment was prescribed to him after the LT. His TC and LDL-C levels were 7.2 mmol/L (278 mg/dl) and 5.3 mmol/L (205 mg/dl), respectively. In addition, an elevated ApoB level was present (1.48 g/L), while his Lp(a) level was normal (145 mg/L). Furthermore, hsCRP was 2.11 mg/L. His carotid IMT level had increased to 0.90 mm on both carotid arteries (abnormal result for his age) (). He was normotensive (97/67 mmHg), and his BMI was 18 kg/m2. Liver enzyme levels were in the normal range. The HbA1c level was 4.8%, and the fasting insulin level was 4.3 mE/L. The glomerular filtration rate was above 90 ml/min. At the last visit to our lipid clinic, the patient was recommended to start statin treatment (rosuvastatin, 10 mg) and was transitioned to the adult lipid clinic, where his first visit was scheduled in early 2019. At that visit, his TC and LDL-C levels were 7.36 mmol/L (284.6 mg/dl) and 5.9 mmol/L (228.15 mg/dl), respectively.
The patient is a 4-year-old African American male who presented with cutaneous xanthomas on the extensor surfaces of his arms, knees, elbows, and Achilles tendon. The patient had these xanthomas since he was 1 year old. The patient was found to have serum cholesterol level greater than 1000 mg/dL and triglyceride level of 170 mg/dL. The patient was started on low-fat and low-cholesterol diet and began medication treatment with atorvastatin and ezetimibe. Despite maximal medical therapy and nutritional modifications, the patient's cholesterol levels still ranged between 500 mg/dL and 600 mg/dL. The patient's family history was remarkable in that both parents had high cholesterol levels and the father had arcus senilis corneae. Due to the patient's clinical history and symptoms and the symptoms present in his immediate family, the patient was diagnosed with homozygous FH. A cardiac evaluation with a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) of the heart revealed mild supravalvular aortic narrowing, distal transverse arch, and proximal descending aorta narrowing and a luminal irregularity of descending aorta. The patient remained on maximal medical therapy and dietary modifications, and after three years, he continued to develop new cutaneous xanthomas around his ankles and at the base of his fingers. His cholesterol levels persisted in the range between 500 mg/dL and 600 mg/dL, and he had no regression of his cardiac vascular lesions on MRA. Due to the failure of medical therapy to control his symptoms, the patient was listed for OLT.\nThe patient successfully underwent deceased-donor OLT. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The patient's immunosuppression regimen consisted of tacrolimus, mycophenolate, and prednisone. The patient's steroids were tapered postoperatively per our transplant center protocol. Atorvastatin was also continued post-operatively. Six months after OLT, the patient's xanthomas had regressed substantially and were much softer. The patient had one postoperative complication 2 years after OLT consisting of an episode of acute rejection, which was successfully treated with steroids. MRAs of the heart were performed annually to ascertain regression of atherosclerotic changes. The MRA 3 years after OLT continued to showed supravalvular aortic narrowing and diffuse, mild narrowing of the distal aortic arch with minimal improvement in the luminal caliber but no change in wall thickness severity. Of note, there was significant improvement in the degree of aortic wall thickness compared to the initial MRA. Currently, the patient is doing well over 3 years after transplant, and his cutaneous xanthomas have completely resolved. The patient has been maintained on tacrolimus and atorvastatin. His most recent cardiac testing including stress test, echocardiogram, and electrocardiography is normal. At his last followup, his serum cholesterol level is 152 mg/dL and LDL level is 75 mg/dL.