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MARS treatment in posthepatectomy liver failure
Maarten-Paul van de Kerkhove1, Koert P de Jong, Arjen M Rijken
1Departments of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.p.vandekerkhove@amc.uva.nl
Summary
Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a severe complication. The Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) showed promise in improving liver function and clinical status in PHLF patients, though survival remains a challenge.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a life-threatening complication following extensive liver resection, with high mortality rates.
- The Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) is an extracorporeal liver support system designed to remove toxins from the blood of patients with liver failure.
Observation:
- This study reports the initial experience of using the MARS liver assist device in five patients diagnosed with PHLF in the Netherlands.
- MARS treatment was administered to assess its efficacy and safety in this specific patient cohort.
Findings:
- All five patients demonstrated improvements in biochemical liver function parameters during MARS treatment.
- Three out of five patients experienced clinical improvement, and one patient survived the critical period.
- No established guidelines or prognostic factors for MARS treatment in PHLF patients currently exist.
Implications:
- The findings suggest that MARS therapy may offer a potential benefit in managing PHLF by improving key biochemical markers.
- Further research is needed to establish clear treatment protocols and identify prognostic indicators for MARS use in PHLF.
- This initial experience provides a basis for developing a suggested MARS treatment regimen for PHLF patients.