Abstract | BACKGROUND: Severe liver failure is associated with high mortality. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the only effective therapeutic modality; there is a need for a 'bridge' system to support patients until an organ becomes available. METHODS: RESULTS: All patients tolerated the procedure(s) well. Eight patients underwent OLT following BAL treatment(s). There were two late deaths after recovery from liver failure. Five patients with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and decerebration had ICP normalization, increased cerebral perfusion pressure and full neurologic recovery after OLT. There was improvement in the level of encephalopathy and a significant decrease in serum ammonia after BAL treatment(s). CONCLUSIONS: BAL treatment is safe and beneficial and can be successfully used as a 'bridge' to transplantation.
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Authors | A A Demetriou, J Rozga, L Podesta, E Lepage, E Morsiani, A D Moscioni, A Hoffman, M McGrath, L Kong, H Rosen |
Journal | Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology. Supplement
(Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl)
Vol. 208
Pg. 111-7
( 1995)
ISSN: 0085-5928 [Print] England |
PMID | 7777790
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Topics |
- Adult
- Animals
- Artificial Organs
- Child
- Female
- Hepatic Encephalopathy
(therapy)
- Humans
- Liver
(cytology)
- Male
- Plasmapheresis
- Swine
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