The timely initiation of plasma exchange for hepatic failure

Abstract

Plasma exchange (PE) for acute hepatic failure (AHF) was evaluated from 6 patients. 2 patients showed poor prognosis. Before the initiation of PE, plasma concentration of bilirubin was ever 20mg/dl during 2 weeks in one patient, and prothrombin time was below 40% during 3 weeks in another patient. The early initiation of PE for AHF was applied to 4 patients. The survival rate was 75%. We concluded that the early initiation of PE for AHF was effective.