OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experience of a single treatment using molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure. METHODS: Twenty-five eases treated by MARS-artificial liver were followed up and reviewed. RESULTS: The levels of serum total bilirubin, non-conjugated bilirubin and blood ammonia were significantly decreased from (618.51 200.68) mmol/L to (390.81 146.02) mmol/L (t=2.729, P<0.01), (490.03 163.39) mmol/L to (303.28 113.06) mmol/L (t =2.516, P<0.01), and (152.44 82.62)mmol/L to (84.80 13.30)mmol/L (t=2.174, P<0.05), respectively. Prothrombin activity was significantly increased from 70.55% 32.39% to 93.63% 14.20% (t=1.728, P<0.05) in patients during a single 6 h treatment with MARS. No difference was presented in the markers of liver zymogram, serum protein, kidney function, electrolyte, blood routine and blood gas analysis before and after the MARS. Thirteen of 17 patients have been cured or improved, 4 died, and the survival rate was 76.5%. CONCLUSIONS: MARS is a safe and an effective treatment for patients with liver failure.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experience of a single treatment using molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure. METHODS: Twenty-five eases treated by MARS-artificial liver were followed up and reviewed. RESULTS: The levels of serum total bilirubin, non-conjugated bilirubin and blood ammonia were significantly decreased from (618.51 200.68) mmol/L to (390.81 146.02) mmol/L (t=2.729, P<0.01), (490.03 163.39) mmol/L to (303.28 113.06) mmol/L (t =2.516, P<0.01), and (152.44 82.62)mmol/L to (84.80 13.30)mmol/L (t=2.174, P<0.05), respectively. Prothrombin activity was significantly increased from 70.55% 32.39% to 93.63% 14.20% (t=1.728, P<0.05) in patients during a single 6 h treatment with MARS. No difference was presented in the markers of liver zymogram, serum protein, kidney function, electrolyte, blood routine and blood gas analysis before and after the MARS. Thirteen of 17 patients have been cured or improved, 4 died, and the survival rate was 76.5%. CONCLUSIONS: MARS is a safe and an effective treatment for patients with liver failure.