Artificial Liver: The Effect of ACAC Microencapsulated Charcoal Hemoperfusion on Fulminant Hepatic Failure

Abstract

Control trials and statistical analysis were carried out to assess the effects of albumin-collodion microencapsulated activated charcoal (ACAC) hemoperfusion on fulminant hepatic coma. A rat model of galactosamine induced fulminant hepatic coma was used. Rats which did not recover died at 3.0 .+-. 0.6 days after galactosamine injection. Those which survived this period recovered. Two days after galactosamine injection, a test group of 21 rats were treated with 1 h hemoperfusion and compared with an untreated group of 23 rats. Of the treated group, 71.4% survived as compared to 30.4% of the untreated rats. Statistical analysis (t test) shows a significant increase in recovery for the treated group (< 0.01). Biochemical and histological results will be discussed.