Extrakorporale Leberunterstützungsverfahren

The intensive care treatment of patients with liver dysfunction is a major challenge in the clinical routine. In the case of failure of conventional treatment options, extracorporeal liver support procedures can provide another treatment option for these patients. Especially in the case of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and for stabilization of the circulatory system, good clinical data and experience in the application and benefits of the procedure are available. An advantage for survival of patients could so far not be confirmed. Newer procedures therefore show higher adsorber capacities and longer application times. In cases of acute liver failure, high-volume plasmapheresis appears to improve the transplant-free survival of patients; however, further prospective studies are warranted to support this finding. Overall, the treatment of patients with severe liver dysfunction, particularly with the possibility of liver transplantation, should be carried out in highly specialized centers.