Bridging Therapies and Liver Transplantation in Acute Liver Failure; 10 Years of MARS Experience from Finland

Acute liver failure is a life-threatening condition in the absence of liver transplantation option. The aetiology of liver failure is the most important factor determining the probability of native liver recovery and prognosis of the patient. Extracorporeal liver assist devices like MARS (Molecular...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scandinavian journal of surgery 2011-01, Vol.100 (1), p.8-13
Main Authors: Kantola, T., Ilmakunnas, M., Koivusalo, A.-M., Isoniemi, H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dialysis - methods
Extracorporeal Circulation - methods
Finland
Hepatic Encephalopathy - surgery
Hepatic Encephalopathy - therapy
Humans
Liver Failure, Acute - surgery
Liver Failure, Acute - therapy
Liver Transplantation
Prognosis
Sorption Detoxification
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Request full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Acute liver failure is a life-threatening condition in the absence of liver transplantation option. The aetiology of liver failure is the most important factor determining the probability of native liver recovery and prognosis of the patient. Extracorporeal liver assist devices like MARS (Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System) may buy time for native liver recovery or serve as bridging therapy to liver transplantation, with reduced risk of cerebral complications. MARS treatment may alleviate hepatic encephalopathy even in patients with a completely necrotic liver. Taking this into account, better prognostic markers than hepatic encephalopathy should be used to assess the need for liver transplantation in acute liver failure.
ISSN:1457-4969
1799-7267
DOI:10.1177/145749691110000103