[Artificial liver support systems: update on albumin dialysis (MARS)].
Mortality among patients with liver insufficiency continues to be unacceptably high. The prognosis of patients with acute episodes of chronic liver insufficiency is almost as poor as that of patients with acute liver failure. Therefore, systems that support liver function, either until liver transplantation can be performed or until resolution of the situation before acute injury occurs, are essential. Albumin dialysis is a system of artificial liver support that allows detoxification of albumin-related and hydrosoluble substances, thus maintaining the patient's homeostasis. Current clinical experience of this therapy is still limited, although beneficial effects on clinical, laboratory and hemodynamic parameters have been demonstrated. Multicenter, controlled trials to evaluate the effect of this therapy on survival in distinct diseases are needed.
Catalina-Rodríguez
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MV
Sección de Hepatología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain. balcoval@teleline.es
Bañares-Cañizares
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R
D000327:Adsorption; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003956:Dialysis / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005112:Extracorporeal Circulation; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011485:Protein Binding; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D016060:Sorption Detoxification / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012709:Serum Albumin