Artificial liver support in acute liver failure

The concept that a bioartificial device could compensate for the loss of he patic function and thus improve the outcome of acute liver failure (ALF) wa s first suggested more than three decades ago. Currently, and reflecting re newed interest in this possibility, three such devices are undergoing clini cal evaluation, Each has been shown to perform metabolic functions normally performed by the liver, thus affecting the serum biochemistry of patients with ALF, However, despite potential merit, these devices have not yet been shown to improve the outcome of patients with ALF, Also, some major safety issues remain to be resolved, in particular the risk of transmission of un known zoonoses to man. fur I Gastroenterol Hepatol 11:991-996 (C) 1999 Lipp incott Williams & Wilkins.