| [ Summary ] |
Liver condition for which apheresis therapy are believed to be appropriate include fulminant hepatic failure, postoperative hepatic failure, hyperbilirubinemia and liver transplantation. The types of apheresis used to treat such patients are plasma exchange (PE) and continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF). Plasma adsorption (PA) and direct hemoperfusion (DHP) are also employed.The recent trend has been for frequent use of therapy for endotoxin adsorption through DHP, for hepatic failure with sepsis. However, all such apheresis therapy can only temporarily assist hepatic function. Therefor, the period at which apheresis therapy is begun is critical. |