Application of Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System® in patients with severe liver failure after hepatic resection or transplantation:: initial single-centre experiences

Acute liver failure after hepatic surgery is still plaqued with high mortality rate. Recently, a liver dialysis system (MARS(R)) that allows detoxification of albumin-bound substances and may hereby support liver regeneration and patient's recovery has been developed. In the present study, we report our experiences with MARS(R) dialysis in patients with liver failure after hepatic resection or transplantation. Between September 1999 and January 2001, five patients were treated with MARS(R) (2-5 courses). Though beneficial effects such as improvement of encephalopathy and renal function as well as reduced bilirubin levels were recorded during MARS(R) therapy, only one patient survived. Neither significant technical problems nor adverse effects occurred by using MARS(R) dialysis. We conclude that in surgical patients, acute liver failure is usually part of a complicated clinical course affecting multipleorgan systems. Thus, it is difficult to determine the specific influence of MARS(R) on patient's outcome. However, beneficial effects observed in our patients justify its continuous use and may stimulate further evaluation in controlled studies with surgical patients.