Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
10:15
Steps for the Autologous Ex vivo Perfused Porcine Liver-kidney Experiment
Published on: December 18, 2013
Extracorporeal albumin dialysis
1Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Summary
Extracorporeal liver support devices offer temporary detoxification for liver failure patients. While systems like MARS and Prometheus show promise in improving symptoms, further trials are needed to confirm survival benefits.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Liver failure has high mortality, with liver transplantation being the only definitive treatment.
- Extracorporeal liver support devices provide temporary detoxification, bridging patients to transplantation or recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of two artificial liver support systems, MARS and Prometheus.
- To review the current evidence and potential clinical roles of these devices.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of MARS (Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System) and Prometheus systems based on their technical approaches.
- Review of existing studies, including in-vivo comparisons and meta-analyses.
Main Results:
- Both MARS and Prometheus improve hepatic encephalopathy and biochemical markers.
- Prometheus demonstrates higher extraction capacities for protein-bound and water-soluble toxins compared to MARS.
- A meta-analysis indicates a survival benefit for extracorporeal support in acute-on-chronic liver failure.
Conclusions:
- Extracorporeal liver support devices show potential in managing liver failure complications.
- Further large-scale randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish definitive clinical roles and survival benefits.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis
Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or those experiencing drug overdose often require extracorporeal methods to eliminate accumulated drugs and metabolites. Hemoperfusion, hemofiltration, and dialysis are the primary techniques to rapidly remove harmful substances without disrupting the patient's fluid and electrolyte balance. For those with compromised renal function, dosage adjustments of concurrent medications may be necessary during extracorporeal drug removal.Dialysis is a process...
01:25Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Hemoperfusion and Hemofiltration
Hemoperfusion and hemofiltration are critical techniques in medical treatments to eliminate accumulated drugs, metabolites, and electrolytes from the bloodstream. These methods are particularly vital in cases of accidental poisoning and drug overdose.Hemoperfusion involves passing blood through an adsorbent material to remove unwanted substances. The main adsorbents used in hemoperfusion include activated charcoal and Amberlite resins. Activated charcoal can adsorb both polar and nonpolar...
01:26Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is an essential intervention for patients experiencing severe kidney dysfunction. This therapy offers a continuous mechanism for removing fluids and toxins from the bloodstream, leveraging the patient’s blood pressure to facilitate filtration through a specialized filter. This method contrasts with intermittent dialysis, providing a gentler and more consistent removal of waste products and excess fluid, which is particularly beneficial in critically...
01:24Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications
DialyzersA hemodialysis (HD) dialyzer is a plastic cartridge containing thousands of parallel hollow fibers, which serve as semipermeable membranes. These fibers are typically made from cellulose-based or other synthetic materials. During HD, blood is pumped into the top of the cartridge and distributed among these fibers. Simultaneously, dialysis fluid, known as dialysate, is introduced into the bottom of the cartridge, bathing the outside of the fibers. Across the semipermeable membrane,...
01:15Dialysis
Dialysis is a diffusion-based purification process that separates analyte molecules from a complex matrix. This is accomplished by allowing molecules in the solution to pass through a semipermeable membrane into a liquid on the other side. The membrane is usually made of cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate, and the second liquid must be miscible with the solution. Ions (e.g., chloride or sodium) or organic molecules (e.g., glucose) can pass through the membrane pores, which generally have...
01:27Dialysis
Renal failure occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products from the blood effectively. It can be classified into two types: acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic renal failure (CRF).
Acute kidney injury develops suddenly and can be caused by pre-renal causes (e.g., hypovolemia, shock), intrinsic renal causes (e.g., acute tubular necrosis), or post-renal causes (e.g., urinary obstruction). In contrast, chronic renal failure progresses gradually over time and is often...
Acute kidney injury develops suddenly and can be caused by pre-renal causes (e.g., hypovolemia, shock), intrinsic renal causes (e.g., acute tubular necrosis), or post-renal causes (e.g., urinary obstruction). In contrast, chronic renal failure progresses gradually over time and is often...