Artificial and bioartificial support systems for liver failure: A Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Protocol

Abstract

Aims/Background: Liver support systems may bridge patients to liver transplantation or recovery from liver failure. This review is to evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects of artificial and bioartificial support systems for acute and acute-on-chronic liver failure. Data Sources: Randomized trials on any support system versus standard medical therapy will be included irrespective of publication status or language. Non-randomized studies are included in explorative analyses. Trials will be identified through bibliographies, correspondence with original investigators, and electronic searches (Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and The Chinese Biomedical Database). Methods of the review: The extracted data will include characteristics of trials, patients, interventions, and all outcome measures. Methodological quality will be assessed by the randomization, follow up, and blinding. The Rev Man and STATA will be used for statistical analyses. Sources of heterogeneity and methodological quality in the assessment of the primary outcome will be explored by sensitivity analyses and meta-regression.