HYBRID OUTLINE BIOARTIFICIAL LIVER SUP PORT HISTORICAL AND ACTUAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Attempts to develope liver support systems for the treatment of acute liver failure patients have ranged in the past, from the use of hemodialysis, or plasma exchange, or activated charcoal particles and sinthetic resins, as well as the use of bioreactors loaded with liver tissue. However, no system demostrated a significant improvement of patient survival, nor has achieved a wide clinical use. Liver transplantation remains the only treatment for severe hepatic failure that can improve patient survival. On the other hands, the chro nic scarcity of organs for transplantation, leads to an urgent necessity of liver support systems. In this paper, we rewie ved the historical experience and current status of artificial liver support systems, with particular emphasys on the socalled hibrid or bioartificial liver, in which to the tradi tional artificial components, such as selective membranes, charcoal particles and resins, isolated hepatocytes are used.