Is There Dialysis for Liver Failure?
When you hear the word “dialysis,” you probably think of kidney failure. If you have been diagnosed with kidney failure, dialysis can help you live without functioning kidneys, preserving your life while you look for a donor or wait for a transplant.
But what if you have liver failure rather than kidney failure? Is there a form of dialysis for liver failure?
Understanding Liver Failure
The liver is a vital organ responsible for a variety of critical functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and producing chemicals necessary for digestion. When the liver fails, it is unable to fully perform these functions, leading to a significant decline in health that can become life-threatening.
What Is Dialysis?
Dialysis is a medical treatment that mimics the function of the kidneys by removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood. It is a well-established treatment for people with kidney failure. However, because the liver’s functions are more complex and varied than those of the kidneys, dialysis for liver failure requires a different approach.
The Concept of “Liver Dialysis”
While there isn’t a direct equivalent to kidney dialysis for the liver, there are treatments designed to support liver function when it is failing. These treatments are often referred to as “liver dialysis” or “artificial liver support.”
Artificial Liver Support Systems
MARS (Molecular Adsorbents Recirculating System): MARS is one of the most well-known liver support systems. It works by filtering the blood through a series of special filters that remove toxins, similar to how dialysis works for the kidneys. MARS can temporarily relieve symptoms of liver failure and support the patient while they wait for a liver transplant.
Prometheus: Prometheus is a plasma filtration treatment that offers liver support by combining elements of both hemodialysis (used for kidney failure) and adsorption technology to remove toxins from the blood. This system also provides temporary relief for patients with acute liver failure.
Plasma Exchange: In some cases of liver failure, plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) is used. This procedure involves removing the patient’s plasma (the liquid portion of blood) and replacing it with donor plasma or a plasma substitute. This helps remove harmful substances from the blood.
Limitations of Liver Dialysis
Unlike kidney dialysis, which can keep a kidney patient alive for many years, liver dialysis cannot fully replicate the liver’s complex functions, so it is typically a short-term solution. As a result, liver dialysis is often used as a bridge therapy to help manage the symptoms of liver failure and stabilize patients while they wait for a more permanent solution, such as a liver transplant.