CAN ALPROSTADIL IMPROVE LIVER-FAILURE IN HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS WITH SEVERE ACUTE VIRAL-HEPATITIS

Liver failure with hepatic encephalopathy during an acute viral hepati tis carries a very high mortality. Liver transplantation is the usual treatment, but for poor candidates for transplantation only supportive therapy is available. Two patients with HIV infection developed an ac ute B hepatitis with liver insufficiency and hepatic encephalopathy. A fter an alprostadil infusion was begun they improved quickly and made a full recovery. This drug merits further investigation.