[Evaluation of efficacy and safety of using molecular adsorbent recirculating system in the treatment of patients with chronic liver failure].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect and safety of a single treatment using molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) on patients with chronic liver failure.


METHODS
The effect of MARS artificial liver system in 60 cases of chronic liver failure was reviewed. The liver function, renal function, blood coagulation index, peripheral blood routine and serum electrolytes were determined before and after treatment with MARS. In 32 patients, side effects were looked for during MARS treatment and were observed.


RESULTS
The levels of serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, non-conjugated bilirubin and total bile acid were significantly decreased respectively in patients after treatment with MARS for 8 hours (all P<0.05). There were no differences in the levels of serum albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB), blood routine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), prothrombin activity (PTA) and renal function before and after MARS treatment (all P>0.05). There were no significant differences in serum electrolytes indexes after MARS treatment except for carbon dioxide combining power (CO(2) CP). Vital signs were stable before and after the treatment. No significant side effects were observed. Thirty-two patients with MARS therapy were followed up for 1 month. Among them, 14 patients died within 1 month (43.7%, 14/32 cases), while 18 patients survived (56.3%, 18/32 cases).


CONCLUSIONS
MARS is one of the complementary methods that are safe and effective for patients with chronic liver failure.
Lu
Xiao-bo
XB
Institute of Liver Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Wulumuqi 830054, Xinjiang, China.
Xiao
Lin
L
Zhang
Yue-xin
YX
Liu
Hao
H
Yan
Gui-xia
GX
Xu
Ling
L
Sun
Li-hua
LH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D019164:Liver, Artificial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016060:Sorption Detoxification / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome