Therapeutic Efficacy of the Latest Extracorporeal Elimination Procedure (Prometheus® Treatment) in Acute Hepatic Failure due to Intoxication

Despite intensive therapy, the mortality of acute hepatic failure is 60 to 90% without liver transplantation. Due to the limited number of transplantable organs, however, a significant percentage of patients die while on the waiting list. In order to reduce mortality, several attempts have been made to remove the albumin-bound and water-soluble toxic substances accumulated in hepatic failure, aimed at supporting spontaneous regeneration of the liver and maintaining patients alive until liver transplantation. Prometheus® treatment is a relatively new technique combining Fractionated Plasma Separation and Adsorption (FPSA) with high-flux dialysis. During the procedure the patient’s own separated albumin-rich plasma flows through special adsorbers, allowing elimination of toxins bound to albumin, while the water-soluble toxins are removed by haemodialysis. Objective: The authors’ intention was to demonstrate the efficacy of Prometheus® treatment in patients with acute hepatic failure due to intoxication. Pat...