Background: Molecular adsorbents recirculating system (MARS) liver support therapy is the development of albumin dialysis. This study was to assess the successful application of MARS artificial liver support therapy as a bridge to re-transplantation in two cases of long anhepatic duration.
Methods: MARS therapy was given after failure plasma-exchange (PE) treatment, which resulted in circulatory derangement and acute renal dysfunction in a 36-year-old male patient. Finally his uncontrolled anhepatic condition led to a successful re-transplantation. In another 48-year-old man who was diagnosed as having primary nonfunction (PNF) during the liver transplantation, 10-hour MARS treatment contributed to smooth bridging of his anhepatic phase.
Results: The two anhepatic patients were bridged for 26 and 17 hours respectively to re-transplantation with MARS therapy.
Conclusion: Our experience proves that MARS artificial liver can be an effective support for long time bridging PNF until re-transplantation is available.