Liver albumin dialysis--application in acetaminophen poisoning

[Article in Polish]

Hydzik P, Drozdz M, Sulowicz W, Groszek B.
Przegl Lek. 2004;61(4):377-82.

Klinika Toksykologii KMPiChS, Collegium Medicum, Uniwersytetu Jagiellonskiego w Krakowie. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Acetaminophen is found to be potentially hepatotoxic drug. Both, acute acetaminophen intoxication (dose >10 g) and therapeutic dose administration in the case of glutathion depletion (chronic alcohol abuse) hepatotoxic effect may occur. Late N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administration does not prevent liver injury. Molecular Adsorbents Recirculating System (MARS) is useful liver support device based on albumin dialysis for saving time for spontaneous liver regeneration or bridging technique to liver transplantation. Case series: Two cases admitted to the Department in 19 and 20 hour post-ingestion of hepatotoxic paracetamol doses as confirmed by toxiocological examination (serum paracetamol concentration). Despite of NAC administration the signs of the liver injury (progressive encephalopathy and jaundice, decreased prothrombin activity) developed. On day four post exposure according to King's College of Medicine London criteria both cases were qualified to MARS therapy. Albumin dialysis of 8 hour duration was performed in both cases and a full recovery with normalization of the liver function was noted. Patient three: patient with the liver and the kidney insufficiency due to alcohol-paracetamol syndrome admitted to the Department of Clinical Toxicology for MARS therapy. Five performed dialysis resulted in the liver function improvement. The patient was disqualified from the liver transplant because of heart failure, pneumonia, hyperthyroidism and alcoholism. Patient died because of heart failure.