Artificial liver support systems.

Though artificial support systems for kidney failure have been widely available for the past several decades, it is only recently that they have become a promising treatment modality for liver failure. The various liver support systems include conventional dialysis, charcoal hemoperfusion, high volume plasma exchange, liver dialysis using sorbent technology, molecular readsorption recirculating system using albumin as the dialysate, bioartificial livers, extracorporeal liver assist device and extracorporeal organ perfusion. They are mainly used as a bridge to liver transplantation and occasionally in acute liver failure till the liver regenerates. The various methods of extracorporeal liver support that are available at present are assessed and those that appear to be promising are described.