Liver Dialysis

Liver dialysis is a detoxification treatment for liver failure and decompensated liver. It is similar to hemodialysis and based on the same principles. Like a bioartificial liver device, it is a form of artificial extracorporeal liver support. A critical issue of the clinical syndrome in liver failure is the accumulation of toxins not cleared by the failing liver. The removal of lipophilic, albumin-bound substances such as bilirubin, bile acids, and metabolites of aromatic amino acids, medium-chain fatty acids and cytokines should be beneficial to the clinical course of a patient in liver failure. Liver dialysis is a process which removes toxins from the liver in order to sustain patients until a liver transplant can be done. Liver dialysis is considered a very temporary solution for transition to liver transplant. The act of liver filtration can be effective at removing toxins from the liver for several weeks to a few months, taking some of the strain off the ailing organ. Without treatment, a person with liver disease is susceptible to a wide range of complications, including: 1. Hepatic encephalopathy - scar tissue prevents adequate blood flow through the liver, preventing clearance of toxins. Circulating toxins may affect brain functioning, leading to coma. 2. Ascites - a build-up of sodium, which leads to fluid retention in the abdominal cavity and in the legs, feet and back (edema). 3. Liver failure - liver cells are destroyed faster than replacement rate, until the organ can no longer function. 4. Cancer - chronic cirrhosis or some forms of hepatitis can make the liver more susceptible to primary cancer.