New Artificial Liver Support System (Plasma Perfusion Detoxification) for Hepatic Coma

Abstract

Guest Editor's Introduction: This paper was originally presented by Z. Yamazaki at the first congress of the International Society for Artificial Organs on August 26, 1977. It was printed in Artificial Organs Vol. 2 (supp) 273–276, 1978, and reprinted here with permission. This is the first paper describing clinical application of a membrane plasma separator as a hepatic assist device. This plasma separator was a hollow fiber device developed by Asahi Medical, Inc., Japan. Mr. K. Kataoka, vice president of Asahi Medical, Inc. was responsible for the development of this plasma separator module. Dr. N. Inoue is the internist responsible for these patients. Thirteen patients with acute liver failure were treated by this apheresis system. Seven out of thirteen patients recovered; however, only three of them survived.