title: Comparison of plasmapheresis and molecular adsorbent recirculating system efficacy in graft failure after living donor liver transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Liver transplantation may result in graft failure, requiring time and supportive treatment for regeneration of the graft. The aim of this study was to compare the laboratory parameter changes after single-session molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) and plasmapheresis procedures among living donor liver transplantation patients experiencing graft failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed retrospectively the results in 45 liver transplantation patients treated with plasmapheresis and/or MARS between June 2011 and July 2012: (plasmapheresis, n = 17; MARS, n = 15; MARS + plasmapheresis, n = 13). When cadaveric donor cases (n = 11) were excluded, the remaining 34 included patients, underwent. MARS (n = 18) or plasmapheresis (n = 16) at the first session.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups were similar in age, sex, and body mass index features. The MARS group displayed significantly higher levels of international normalized ratio, blood urea nitrogen, and Model for End-stage Liver Disease score. The plasmapheresis cohort, displayed significantly higher levels of initial direct bilirubin and gamma glutamyl transferase (P < .05). The plasmapheresis group showed a significant decrease in GGT after treatment (P < .05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  An initial MARS session provided significantly greater decrease in renal function associated with graft failure after living donor liver transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Liver Transplantation Institute, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. volkanince@hotmail.com
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ince
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Otan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koc
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kayaalp
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D012189:Retrospective Studies