BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine the alterations in coagulation and fibrinolysis occurring in patients treated with the liver dialysis device. METHODOLOGY: Patients with advanced liver disease treated with the liver dialysis device were studied immediately before and after the liver dialysis device treatment. SETTING: A university hospital intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Thirteen consecutive patients with advanced liver disease being evaluated for or awaiting liver transplantation. INTERVENTION: 4-6 hours of liver dialysis treatment for management of hepatic encephalopathy. OUTCOME MEASURES: A panel of coagulation and anticoagulation factors, as well as fibrinolytic and anti-fibrinolytic factors plus measures of activation of inflammation and soluble adhesion factors. RESULTS: The liver dialysis device used was found to be associated with activation of both coagulation and fibrinolytic pathways, activation of inflammation reactants, and an increase in sL-selectin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Liver dialysis device activates both coagulant and fibrinolytic pathways, activates inflammatory response, but these responses are limited to the vascular compartment by an increase in sL-selectin levels.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine the alterations in coagulation and fibrinolysis occurring in patients treated with the liver dialysis device. METHODOLOGY:Patients with advanced liver disease treated with the liver dialysis device were studied immediately before and after the liver dialysis device treatment. SETTING: A university hospital intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Thirteen consecutive patients with advanced liver disease being evaluated for or awaiting liver transplantation. INTERVENTION: 4-6 hours of liver dialysis treatment for management of hepatic encephalopathy. OUTCOME MEASURES: A panel of coagulation and anticoagulation factors, as well as fibrinolytic and anti-fibrinolytic factors plus measures of activation of inflammation and soluble adhesion factors. RESULTS: The liver dialysis device used was found to be associated with activation of both coagulation and fibrinolytic pathways, activation of inflammation reactants, and an increase in sL-selectin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Liver dialysis device activates both coagulant and fibrinolytic pathways, activates inflammatory response, but these responses are limited to the vascular compartment by an increase in sL-selectin levels.
Authors: Peter Faybik; Andreas Bacher; Sibylle A Kozek-Langenecker; Heinz Steltzer; Claus Georg Krenn; Sandra Unger; Hubert Hetz Journal: Crit Care Date: 2006-02 Impact factor: 9.097