EARLY CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE WITH A HYBRID BIOARTIFICIAL LIVER

Background: Severe liver failure is associated with high mortality. Or thotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the only effective therapeutic modality there is a need for a 'bridge' system to support patients un til an organ becomes available. Methods: A bioartificial liver (BAL) w as used to treat 10 patients with severe liver failure. A plasmapheres is system was used to pump patient plasma through a module with porcin e hepatocytes. Each treatment lasted 6-7 h. Results: All patients tole rated the procedures(s) well. Eight patients underwent OLT following B AL treatment(s). There were two late deaths after recovery from liver failure. Five patients with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and decerebration had ICP normalization, increased cerebral perfusion pres sure and full neurologic recovery after OLT. There was improvement in the level of encephalopathy and a significant decrease in serum ammoni a after BAL treatment(s). Conclusions: BAL treatment is safe and benef icial and can be successfully used as a 'bridge' to transplantation.