Extracorporal methods for liver failure treatment

Abstract

A mortality rate in patients with liver failure remains high. Currently the main causes for liver failure are viral hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease. As a result of liver detoxification malfunction a number of complications, including hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, circulatory disorders develop. Different types of extracorporeal therapies and their combination are used to treat the liver failure for a long time. Figuratively, extracorporeal liver support systems can be divided into two groups: biological and non-biological. Biological methods are based on the use of isolated hepatocytes suspension. Non-biological methods include dialysis, hemofiltration, plasma exchange, hemosorption, Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) and fractionated plasma separation and adsorption (FPSA or Prometheus). Modern technologies allowed to combine liver support systems into a whole and to create an additional method of liver failure treatment — Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS). Currently, MARS is a promising trend of liver failure treatment, as it allows support the liver function for a long time until restored or an optimal donor will be found.

Keywords

liver failure / extracorporeal therapy / Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Kutepov D.E.