Plasmaphoresis, charcoal, and resin perfusion in experimental porcine hepatic failure.

Acute hepatic failure was induced in pigs by a combination of phenobarbitone, reversible hepatic artery ischemia, and low-dose carbon tetrachloride. Plasmaphoresis combined with charcoal or resin plasma perfusion resulted in no significant reduction in arterial amino acid levels despite proven amino acid absorption by the charcoal columns. No prolongation of life was attained in the pigs when compared to nonplasmaphoresed control animals.