[The clinical experience with MARS and Prometheus procedures]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Nephrology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Liver failure and poisoning necessitate the removal of endogenous and exogenous toxins.
• Extracorporeal therapies are being explored to support liver function and manage toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate extracorporeal treatment systems based on albumin dialysis and adsorption for patients with liver failure or poisoning.
• To present clinical experiences with specific treatment modalities.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of two main concepts: (1) blood dialysis against albumin dialysate (Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System - MARS, Single Pass Albumin Dialysis - SPAD, Continuous Veno-Venous Haemodiafiltration - CWHDF) and (2) selective albumin filtration and adsorption combined with haemodialysis (Fractioned Plasma Separation and Adsorption-Prometheus).
• Presentation of clinical experiences with MARS and Prometheus procedures from 2003-2006.

Main Results:

• The study evaluated the efficacy of MARS, SPAD, CWHDF, and Prometheus systems.
• Personal experiences with MARS and Prometheus were documented between 2003 and 2006.

Conclusions:

• Extracorporeal removal of substances via albumin-based systems is hypothesized to benefit patients with liver failure or poisoning.
• Further clinical data and experience with MARS and Prometheus are presented.