应用分子吸附循环系统治疗急性肝功能衰竭的经验

目的 探讨急性肝功能衰竭患者等待肝移植期间应用分子吸附循环系统的治疗效果.方法 本组共有16例急性肝功能衰竭患者在等待肝移植期间接受了分子吸附循环系统治疗.结果 16例患者经治疗临床症状及体征明显改善:凝血酶原时间、总胆汁酸、丙氨酸转氨酶、天冬氨酸转氰酶、肌酐和血氨水平明显降低(P＜0.05);肿瘤坏死因子α、一氧化氮和白细胞介素10等细胞因子水平有所下降,但无统计学意义(P＞0.05);序贯性脏器衰竭评估的计分由9.91±1.09降至6.64±1.76,Glascow昏迷评分由7.29±2.06升至13.26±2.14.16例患者中14例成功过渡到肝移植治疗,13例痊愈出院.治疗成功率为81.25%.结论 分子吸附循环系统是治疗肝功能衰竭安全而有效的辅助方法,帮助急性肝功能衰竭患者顺利渡过肝移植等待期.     

Clinical experience with molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) in patients with drug-induced liver failure

The molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) is a novel extracorporeal technique for liver support. We report the clinical results in a group of fourteen patients with drug-induced liver failure. Fourteen patients, aged 22-83 years, with acute or subacute liver failure [mean Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score 11 (range 8-15)] due to the intake of various drugs (diet pill overdose-2; Chinese traditional medicine (CTM)-4; antibiotic, paracetamol, tuberculostatic, or vasodilator abuse-8) were treated with one to seven sessions of MARS. Beneficial effects such as the improvement of encephalopathy and prothrombin activity, as well as a reduction of bilirubin and ammonia were recorded during MARS treatments. Thirteen out of fourteen patients survived the hospitalization (93%), and two of the discharged patients died during the follow-up of 6-12 months. The overall survival rate was about 79%. MARS therapy can contribute to the improved treatment of drug-induced liver failure patients.     

MARS人工肝对重症胰腺炎的疗效观察

目的 观察MARS人上肝在重症胰腺炎中的疗效并探讨其作用机制.方法 5例重症胰腺炎病人MARS治疗6～8 h,监测治疗前后病情及生化指标的改变并对比IL-1、TNF-α等细胞因子水平变化.结果 MARS治疗后,病人临床症状、体征及肝肾功能明显改善;血IL-1、IL-6、TNF-α,NO、淀粉酶、脂肪酶水平显著降低(P＜0.05).结论 MARS人工肝是重症胰腺炎安全而有效的辅助治疗手段.     

Pediatric acute liver failure with molecular adsorbent recirculating system treatment

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) has been significantly improved by emergency orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Since 2004, the molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) has been proposed as a bridging procedure. The aim of our study was to assess its efficacy in children with PALF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since 1999 we performed treatment of 39 fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) cases with MARS. Since September 2004 we treated 6 pediatric patients with FHF who were of mean age 10.6 years (range, 3-15 years) including 4 females and 2 males. In 3 cases the cause of FHF was unknown; in 2 cases, it was induced by paracetamol overdose; and in 1, by acute hepatitis B virus. Inclusion criteria were: bilirubin >15 mg/dL; creatinine >or=2 mg/dL; encephalopathy grade >II; and International normalized ratio (INR) >2.5. Other estimated parameters were: AST and ALT serum levels, lactate, and urine volume. Neurological status was monitored using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Continuous MARS treatment was performed in all patients with a kit change every 8 hours. Intensive care unit (ICU) treatment was applied to optimize regeneration and to prevent cardiovascular complications. RESULTS: We observed a significant improvement among levels of bilirubin (P< .009), ammonia (P< .005), creatinine (P< .02), GCS (P< .002), and predictive criteria and as Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease (PELD). Three children underwent OLT: 1 died after 5 days due to primary nonfunction and 2 children are alive after a median follow-up of 14 months. In 2 children the MARS treatment led to resolution of clinical status without liver transplantation. One child died before OLT due to sepsis and multiorgan failure. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that application of the MARS liver support device in combination with experienced ICU management contributed to improve the clinical status in children with PALF awaiting liver transplantation.     

分子吸附循环系统联合肝移植治疗急性肝功能衰竭

目的　探讨应用分子吸附循环系统结合肝移植治疗急性肝功能衰竭的效果。方法　 8例急性肝功能衰竭患者 (7例原发病为乙型肝炎后肝硬化 ,1例为Wilson病 )在等待肝移植期间经分子吸附循环系统治疗 3～ 7次 ,所有患者均接受同种异体改良背驮式肝移植术。结果　患者等待供肝时间 8～ 30d ,平均 13d ,所有患者均顺利渡过围手术期 ,痊愈出院。应用分子吸附循环系统治疗后 ,患者的血清丙氨酸转氨酶、天冬氨酸转氨酶及总胆红素水平明显下降 (P <0 .0 1) ,但凝血功能的改善不明显。结论　分子吸附循环系统可暂时替代肝脏的部分功能 ,帮助急性肝功能衰竭患者顺利渡过肝移植等待期。     

肝衰竭人工肝治疗过程中低血压原因分析及护理

分析人工肝治疗肝衰竭中低血压原因并总结护理经验。226例次肝衰竭患者在人工肝治疗中发生低血压49例次,发生率为21.68%。有效循环血量减少、失血是最主要因素。上机前对病情实施系统评估,勿仓促上机;个性化调节各参数和使用抗凝剂;术中严密监测,准确判断病情变化;及时有效的干预,是维持患者血流动力学稳定、保证治疗顺利完成、提高抢救成功率的重要措施。     

Modifications of intracranial pressure after molecular adsorbent recirculating system treatment in patients with acute liver failure: case reports

Cerebral dysfunction may be fatal in patients with acute liver failure (ALF); intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring may be mandatory to direct measures to prevent further cerebral edema. Recently the introduction of dialysis with the molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) has improved the outcomes among patients with ALF. The aim of this study was to evaluate ICP changes after MARS treatment among patients with ALF. METHODS: Three patients -- 14, 18 and 16 years old -- were admitted to the ICU for acute liver failure induced by HBV in two cases and by acetaminophen in the other one. Because of Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) <8, they were intubated and ventilated to protect the airway and maintain moderate hypocapnia. Invasive monitoring of intracranial pressure MARS treatments were performed in all patients. RESULTS: The patients received MARS treatments every day after their admission to liver transplantation. After MARS therapy the ICP decreased on average from 21 to 7 mm Hg. Significant hemodynamic modifications were not observed and their neurological conditions improved. CONCLUSION: MARS treatment improved the clinical pictures of these patients increasing the available time to obtain an urgent liver graft.     

Acute liver failure due to leptospirosis successfully treated with MARS (molecular adsorbent recirculating system) dialysis

Background Leptospirosis is a re-emerging infectious disease, which may lead to multiple organ failure (MOF)and death. Case presentation We report the first case of severe leptospirosis complicated with acute renal and liver failure, successfully treated with albumin dialysis––molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS). Despite antibiotic therapy, optimum medical supportive treatment and timely initiated haemodialysis, the outcome was complicated by severe liver failure: hepatic encephalopathy grade III, hypoglycemia, prominent hyperbilirubinemia (TBIL 31.3 mg/dl, DBIL 28.6 mg/dl)and hepatic cytolysis (ALT 535 IU/l, AST 179 IU/l) and prolongation of the prothrombine time (68.4 sec). The patient underwent two sesions of albumin dialysis with the MARS procedure with complete recovery of hepatic and renal function. Conclusion Albumin dialysis may confer a significant survival benefit on patients with leptospirosis-induced acute liver failure (ALF).     

The effect of molecular adsorbent recirculating system treatment on survival,native liver recovery,and need for liver transplantation in acute liver failure patients*

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a medical emergency. Molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS), an artificial liver support system, can partly compensate for the detoxifying function of the liver by removing toxins from blood. To analyze the efficacy of MARS treatment, the outcomes of 113 ALF patients, treated with MARS between 2001 and 2007, were compared with a historical control group of 46 ALF patients treated without MARS between 1995 and 2001. Overall survival of transplanted patients was 94% in the MARS group and 77% in the control group (P = 0.06). Without transplantation, survival was 66% and 40% (P = 0.03), respectively. However, the etiological distribution of ALF differed significantly between the groups. In ALF patients with unknown etiology, groups were comparable at baseline; 91% and 69% of transplanted patients survived the MARS and control groups and the native liver recovered in 20% and 8% of the patients, respectively. Of the originally nonencephalopathic patients of unknown etiology, 36% underwent liver transplantation in the MARS group compared to 100% in the control group. Interpretation of the results was difficult in toxic etiology patients on account of differing baseline statuses. MARS treatment might partly explain the trend toward increased survival of ALF patients with unknown etiology.     

Hemodynamic improvement as an additional parameter to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the molecular adsorbent recirculating system in liver failure patients

BACKGROUND: The molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) is an extracorporeal acute liver failure (ALF) support system method using albumin-enriched dialysate to remove albumin-bound toxins. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since 1999 we performed 2027 MARS treatments in 191 patients: 39 fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), 16 primary nonfunction (PNF), 21 delayed function (DF), 94 acute-on-chronic liver failure (AoCHF), 7 post-hepatic resection, and 14 intractable pruritus. RESULTS: We divided the complications by the AoCHF versus the ALF populations. Among 83 ALF patients, we observed worsening of hemodynamic parameters in 16 patients: 3 with PNF, 2 with DF without retransplantation, 9 with FHF, and 2 after hepatic resection. Among 94 AoCHF patients, 42 showed hemodynamic instability requiring intensive care unit support. Our study did not note significant adverse effects (1.8%), except for infections and hemorrhage from the central venous catheter not due to MARS treatment. The thrombocytopenia was controlled through administration of platelets before the start of treatment when a patient showed a level under 30,000 mm(3). CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed that nonbiological hepatic support by MARS was safe and tolerable.     

Hypoglycemia in nondiabetic patients undergoing albumin dialysis by molecular adsorbent recirculating system

It was observed that patients developed episodes of hypoglycemia during molecular adsorbent recycling system (MARS) treatment. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of MARS treatment on blood glucose concentration to formulate appropriate dextrose replacement guidelines during MARS dialysis. Five patients with liver failure each underwent a 6- to 8-hour MARS treatment. No patient had a history of diabetes or was administered insulin or oral antihyperglycemic agents throughout the period of albumin dialysis. There was no active intervention or restriction on glucose intake. Rather, a dextrose drip and boluses were allowed based on each patient's condition and the clinical judgment of the attending physician. Blood glucose concentration was monitored hourly during the period of MARS treatment. Glucose loss in dialysate fluid was quantified hourly by measuring the total volume of dialysate fluid and assaying the glucose concentration in dialysate fluid. Mean glucose removal during a 6-hour MARS session was 37.19 ± 5.58 g. Mean glucose removal rate was 6.20 ± 0.93 g/h. In addition to a maintenance drip supporting the caloric requirement of patients, a dextrose replacement drip that paralleled the rate of glucose removal would prevent patients from experiencing episodes of hypoglycemia during MARS treatment. Dextrose replacement at a mean rate of 6 g/h (range, 5 to 7 g/h) in patients without diabetes undergoing albumin dialysis by MARS is recommended. (Liver Transpl 2003;9:949-953.)     

The role of molecular adsorbent recirculating system dialysis for extracorporeal liver support in children

The majority of children with acute, acute-on-chronic, and progressive chronic liver failure require liver transplantation. Since organ availability is limited, extracorporeal liver support systems are increasingly applied to bridge the time until transplantation. At present, four different devices are available: the molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS), Prometheus dialysis, plasma exchange combined with hemodialysis (PE/HD), and single-pass albumin dialysis (SPAD). Randomized trials in adults have demonstrated efficient toxin removal, improved portal hypertension, hemodynamic stability, and improved hepatic encephalopathy compared with standard medical therapy. None of the liver support systems has yet been evaluated systematically in children. Knowledge of the specific indications and technical features of the different devices is essential if applied in children. MARS combines albumin dialysis with conventional hemodialysis and allows for efficient removal of water and protein-bound toxins without exogenous protein delivery and the associated infectious and allergic risks. It has successfully been applied in children with otherwise intractable cholestatic pruritus and with liver failure. The benefits, however, need to be balanced against the costs and the risk of volume and nitrogen overload if repeated plasma infusion is required. In cases of active bleeding, plasma exchange in combination with hemodialysis should be preferred.     

Prolonged closed liver packing in severe hepatic trauma: experience with 36 patients

Thirty-six patients with severe hepatic trauma were treated with prolonged closed liver packing. Reoperation to remove the packing was performed from 7 to 10 days after the first operation. Prolonged closed liver packing was associated with low infection and mortality rates. We conclude that this technique should be used in patients in whom other techniques have failed to control hemorrhage, and should not be used in patients with ruptured hollow viscus or in patients with injuries of the large extrahepatic vessels.     

Successful MARS treatment in severe cholestatic patients with acute on chronic liver failure

Extracorporeal liver devices have gained great attention as a complementary approach to liver transplantation in patients with acute on chronic liver failure. Among others, Molecular Adsorbent Recycling System (MARS) is a hemodiafiltration against albumin able to remove low molecular weight toxins. We aimed to validate the use of MARS in patients presenting with acute on chronic liver failure with severe cholestasis. We enrolled 7 patients with acute on chronic liver failure, presenting with bilirubin >25 mg/dl and hepatorenal syndrome and/or hepatic encephalopathy grade >II. Liver biochemistry, coagulation, blood cell count, electrolytes, ammonia, lactate, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, bile acids, Fischer ratio, and encephalopathy grade were assessed before and after each MARS treatment. MARS can represent a safe therapeutic choice to achieve a quick improvement of neurological status, a hemodynamic stability, and a better clinical outcome. In particular, our encouraging results suggest that also, patients with severe cholestasis may represent in the future a good indication for MARS treatment.