Artificial liver support therapy in patients with liver failure

Abstract

Despite a combination of all available treatment, the mortality of liver failure is very high,especially in children patients. Artificial liver support methods have been tested for over 50 years. Standard techniques of blood purification like hemodialysis, adsorption, hemo or plasma filtration as well as bioreactorbased approaches using liver cells or tissues have been used. It' s believed that the damaged liver has the ability to return to normal. Artificial liver support systems are expected to be useful for temporary support of liver function. If the liver does not regenerate to normal functions, an artificial liver support system may be useful as a bridge to liver transplantation. In conclusion, artificial liver support method appears to be a reliable therapy for advanced liver diseases and has significantly decreased the mortality of liver failure. Artificial liver support system has been used in children patients as well, but it still needs more researches. Key words: Artificial liver support system ; Liver failure