Treatment of fulminant hepatic failure with insulin and glucagon : a randomized, controlled trial

Insulin and glucagon are among the therapeutic modalities that have been investigated in the treatment of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). We have completed a randomized, controlled trial of insulin and glucagon in 38 patients with FHF from either viral or toxin exposure. The control and treatment g...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Digestive diseases and sciences 1991, Vol.36 (1), p.92-96
Main Authors: WOOLF, G. M, REDEKER, A. G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
alpha-Fetoproteins - metabolism
Biological and medical sciences
Digestive system
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Glucagon - therapeutic use
Hepatic Encephalopathy - drug therapy
Hepatic Encephalopathy - metabolism
Hepatic Encephalopathy - mortality
Humans
Insulin - therapeutic use
Male
Medical sciences
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Survival Rate
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Summary:Insulin and glucagon are among the therapeutic modalities that have been investigated in the treatment of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). We have completed a randomized, controlled trial of insulin and glucagon in 38 patients with FHF from either viral or toxin exposure. The control and treatment groups consisted of 21 and 17 patients, respectively, and did not differ significantly in etiology or admission laboratory values. Mortality was not significantly different between control and treatment groups and was 67% and 82%, respectively. Time from randomization to death or discharge was not significantly different between the two groups. Peak levels of alpha-fetoprotein were statistically higher in survivors than in nonsurvivors (P less than 0.01). We conclude that even though a type-2 error may exist, the combination of insulin and glucagon is not useful in the treatment of FHF.
ISSN:0163-2116
1573-2568
DOI:10.1007/BF01300094