Treatment of pruritus in cholestatic jaundice by bilirubin- and bile acid-adsorbing resin column plasma perfusion.

The efficacy of plasma perfusion through a new anionic resin, BR-350, for palliation of intractable pruritus secondary to intrahepatic cholestasis was studied in four patients. The treatment was given in a daily 2-h session on 3 consecutive days and was followed by repeated treatment periods each 3rd to 4th week. The patients experienced symptomatic improvement during the first treatment period, and the treatment was well tolerated. Adsorption of bile acids across the filter was efficient and resulted in a bile acid concentration gradient pre- to post-resin of 92%. Thus plasma perfusion through the ion resin BR-350 is an effective and safe treatment for symptomatic relief of intractable pruritus in cholestatic liver disease and may reduce hospitalization time and increase the quality of life.