Molecular adsorbent recycling system in treating patients with acute liver failure: a bridge to liver transplantation
Yi-Tao Ding, Qing-Xiang Xu, Yu-Dong Qiu and Yi-Jun Yang
Nanjing, China
Author Affiliations: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical College of Nanjing University; Hepatobiliary Institute of Nanjing University; Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute of Nanjing, Nanjing 210000, China (Ding YT, Xu QX, Qiu YD and Yang YJ) Corresponding Author: Yi-Tao Ding, MD, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical College of Nanjing University; Hepatobiliary Institute of Nanjing University; Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute of Nanjing, Nanjing 210000 China (Tel: 86-25-3308769; Fax: 86-25-3317016; Email: dingyitao@yahoo.com)
BACKGROUND: Acute liver failure is still a life-threatening disease although it can be treated by liver transplantation. This study was conducted to assess the molecular adsorbent recycling system (MARS), which may bridge acute liver failure patients to liver transplantation.
METHODS: Biochemical indexes and other clinical data were analyzed of 8 patients with acute liver failure, who had been treated by MARS for 34 times and subsequent Piggyback liver transplantation.
RESULTS: After treatment with MARS, the levels of transaminase and total bilirubin decreased markedly, but coagulation function remained unimproved. All patients survived and discharged from the hospital.
CONCLUSION: MARS is effective in bridging patients with acute liver failure to liver transplantation.
2004, Vol. 3 
