First experience in Spain with MARS in three patients with advanced liver failure

Introduction

Advanced liver failure represents a critical situation with high mortality rates that have been related to some of their complications. Among these complications both hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) and hepatic encephalopathy (HE) are very frequent ones. To date many extracorporeal treatments have been employed in order to improve patients survival through the elimination of toxic substances present in liver failure. However, the results and the efficacy of these procedures are disappointing. Recently a new therapy has been developed: MARS (Molecular Absorbent Recirculating System) [1] [2]. In this study we present our experience with MARS in three patients with advanced liver failure.

References

• 1 Stange J, Mitzner S R, Risler T, Erley M, Lauchart W, Goehl H, Klammt S, Peszynski P, Freytag J, Hickstein H, Lohr M, Liebe S, Schareck W, Hopt U T, Schmidt R. Molecular adsorvent recycling system (mars): clinical results of a new membrane-based blood purification system for bioartificial liver support.  Artif Organs. 1999;  23 319-330
• 2 Mitzner S R, Stange J, Klammt S, Risler T, Erley M, Bader B D, Berger E D, Lauchart W, Peszynski P, Freytag J, Hickstein H, Loock J, Lohr M, Liebe S, Emmrich J, Korten G, Schmidt R. Improvement of hepatorenal syndrome wih extracorporeal albumin dialysis mars: results sf a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.  Liver Transplantation. 2000;  6 277-286
• 3 Linton A L, Richmond J M, Clark W F, Lindsay R M, Driedger A A, Lamki L M. Gallium 67 scintigraphy in the diagnosis of acute renal disease.  Clin Nephrol. 1985;  24 84-87
• 4 Conger J D. Interventions in clinical acute renal failure: what are the data.  Am J Kidney Dis. 1995;  26 565-576
• 5 Mandal A K, Lansing M, Fahmy A. Acute tubular necrosis in hepatorenal syndrome: an electron microscopyc study.  Am J Kidney Dis. 1982;  2 363-374