Heterologous Liver Perfusion in Acute Hepatic Failure

Abstract

This is a report of three patients comatose from liver failure and referred for treatment by extracorporeal pig-liver perfusion. Two further patients with chronic liver disease were also referred for treatment, but correction of an obvious precipitating factor in each produced a rapid recovery of consciousness without recourse to perfusion. Three patients who had no history of previous liver disease were treated with a total of six perfusions and one survived. Attention is drawn to the wide variety of complications that beset patients with liver failure. Treatment of these complications is essential before special techniques such as heterologous liver perfusion are employed. © 1967, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.