[Study of severe hepatitis treated with a hybrid artificial liver support system].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of a hybrid artificial liver support system in the treatment of chronic severe hepatitis.


METHODS
The hybrid artificial liver support system (HALSS) consisted of a bioreactor containing more than 5 x 10(9) porcine hepatocytes and plasma exchange device. 15 patients with chronic severe viral hepatitis were treated with the hybrid system.


RESULTS
All the patients experienced a reduction in symptoms, such as fatigue, abdominal distention or ascites. After each treatment serum total bilirubin decreased markedly (from 493.5 micromol/L+-139.8 micromol/L to 250.9 micromol/L+-91.3 micromol/L, t=8.695, P<0.001), while prothrombin activity increased (from 24.5%+-8.4% to 30.6%+-6.3%, t=3.325, P<0.01). There were 11 patients whose progress of hepatocytes necrosis stopped after HALSS treatment, and finally they recovered completely. Four patients died of their worsen conditions. No serious adverse events were noted in the 15 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
HALSS is a reliable hepatic support device for chronic severe hepatitis.
Li
Lan-juan
LJ
Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Yang
Qian
Q
Huang
Jian-rong
JR
Li
Jun
J
Cao
Hong-cui
HC
Chen
Yue-mei
YM
Chen
Ya-gang
YG
Cheng
Ji-fang
JF
Fu
Su-zhen
SZ
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D019149:Bioreactors; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D019164:Liver, Artificial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010951:Plasma Exchange / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D016896:Treatment Outcome