The significance of early initiation of artificial liver support for acute hepatic failure (AHF)

Abstract

During 1975 to 1979, we treated 21 AHF patients in grade III or IV coma with direct hemoperfusion and/or plasma exchange. Amont these 21 patients, only 3 survived. In 1979, we decided to initiate those treatments for AHF when the patients were in the early stage of AHF. Six patients in grade II or III coma were treated with this policy, using arterial ketone body ratio as an indicator for accurate and early diagnosis for AHF, and 4 survived. Therefore, we concluded that the early initiation of the artificial liver support was effective.