Clinical Experience with Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) in Patients with Drug-induced Liver Failure.

The molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) is a novel extracorporeal technique for liver support. We report the clinical results in a group of fourteen patients with drug-induced liver failure. Fourteen patients, aged 22-83 years, with acute or subacute liver failure [mean Child--Turcotte--Pugh (CTP) score 11 (range 8-15)] due to the intake of various drugs (diet pill overdose--2; Chinese traditional medicine (CTM)--4; antibiotic, paracetamol, tuberculostatic, or vasodilator abuse--8) were treated with one to seven sessions of MARS. Beneficial effects such as the improvement of encephalopathy and prothrombin activity, as well as a reduction of bilirubin and ammonia were recorded during MARS treatments. Thirteen out of fourteen patients survived the hospitalization (93%), and two of the discharged patients died during the follow-up of 6-12 months. The overall survival rate was about 79%. MARS therapy can contribute to the improved treatment of drug-induced liver failure patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]