Treatment of acute liver failure with hemodetoxification techniques

The exact pathogenesis of hepatic coma is unknown and this fact has stimulated research in the field of hemodetoxification treatment. We studied 31 patients (19 M and 12 F) with acute hepatic failure and used different detoxification techniques such as hemodialysis, hemoperfusion, hemofiltration and plasmaferesis. We evaluated blood tests, degree of coma and serum levels of middle-molecular weight substances (by gel-chromatography) for each patient. Our results show that there was an improvement of consciousness and general clinical state in 40% of patients who underwent HD, in 50% of patients treated with HP, in 37.5% of those treated with PF and 78% of patients treated with HF. Unfortunately, the improvement did not last long. In conclusion we can say that artificial support improves hepatic coma and state of consciousness. This improvement could be due to the better regeneration possibilities of hepatic cells. For this reason hemodetoxification treatment should be started as soon as possible.