Sorbent suspensions vs. sorbent columns for extracorporeal detoxification in hepatic failure

Hepatic failure is a significant medical problem which has been unsuccessfully treated by hemodialysis. However, similar therapies using recirculated dialysate regenerated by sorbents in place of single-pass dialysate have been beneficial in treating acute-on-chronic liver failure. The advantages of sorbent-based treatments include some selectivity of toxin removal and improved removal of protein-bound toxins. Activated carbon has been extensively used in detoxification systems, but has often had insufficient toxin capacity. Powdered activated carbon, because of its large surface area, can provide greater binding capacity for bilirubin and other toxins than granular carbon commonly used in detoxifying columns. Methods of using powdered carbon in extracorporeal blood treatment devices are reviewed in the present paper, including liver dialysis and a new sorbent suspension reactor (SSR); and the abilities and limitations of the SSR and columns to process protein solutions are discussed.