Liver support systems

In recent years liver transplantation was shown to be the only clinically e ffective method of treating acute or chronic hepatic failure due to various causes. However, this ultimate therapeutic approach is limited by the grow ing disparity between organ donation and the number of patients on the wait ing list. Factors such as high cost, morbidity, and the need for lifelong i mmunosuppression accelerated the research on alternative methods to support the failing liver. Recently, new technologies incorporating hepatocytes an d extracorporeal circulation devices were introduced for liver support. Thi s review presents current knowledge on liver support systems and their role in the treatment of acute liver failure.