THE EFFICACY OF PLASMA SORPTION (LIVER SUPPORT) IN LIVER FAILURE IN PATIENTS WITH MECHANICAL JAUNDICE

Abstract

Background: New methods of extracorporeal hemocorrection and detoxification in liver failure of patients with mechanical jaundice need an assessment of their efficacy and safety, especially with consideration of baseline hypocoagulation and systemic heparin administration. Aim: To assess the efficacy of plasma sorption with Plasorba BR-350 in liver failure patients with mechanical jaundice. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in 12 patients (aged from 47 to 67 years) with mechanical jaundice as a consequence of biliary obstruction (choledocholithiasis). At baseline, total bilirubin level was from 101.9 to 611 µmol/l. Extracorporeal hemocorrection (The Liver Support procedures) was carried out with the Octo Nova device (Asahi Kasei Medical, Japan) and Plasorba BR-350 sorbent based on were measured prior, during and upon termination of a procedure. Results: By the end of the procedure, there was a trend towards decrease in total bilirubin level by 18.6 ± 3.8% (p = 0.13), conjugated bilirubin by 14.6 ± 6.4% (p = 0.06), unconjugated bilirubin by 16.9 ± 9.8% (p = 0.17), and aspartate aminotransferase by 18.67 ± 2.3% (p = 0.077), with a statistically significant decrease in alanine aminotransferase 17.07 ± 3.4% (p = 0.002). Other blood chemistry parameters did not show any changes. There were no changes in hemoglobin and platelets throughout the study and no negative changes in the international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen, prothrombin, and anti-thrombin III levels. During hemosorption procedures no bleeding complications were noted in any patient. Conclusion: Plasma sorption (Liver Support) allows for correction of hyperbilirubinemia in liver failure patients with mechanical jaundice without a significant influence on other blood chemistry parameters. Due to the absence of bleeding complications during the procedure and lack of chang- es in the coagulogram after the procedure, this method of the liver support can be recommended for patients with high bilirubin levels in mechanical jaundice during preparation for surgical treatment for the bile ducts obstruction and postoperatively.