Role of activated carbon hemoperfusion in the recovery of livers exposed to ischemic damage.

Adequate hepatic assistance by artificial liver support systems after ischemic damage would allow for the possibility of liver regeneration. This study assessed the efficacy of activated carbon hemoperfusion (ACH) for artificial liver support after ischemically induced hepatic failure. Severe liver failure was induced in 18 adult mongrel dogs by cross clamping of the portal vein and hepatic artery for 40 minutes after creation of a portacaval shunt. Group 1 (n = 8) animals served as untreated controls and survived for only two to 22 hours after the procedure (10.6 +/- 8.8 hours, mean +/- SD). A significant improvement in survival was seen in group 2 animals (n =10), which received one ACH treatment after ischemic injury (range of survival, two to more than seven days). These results encourage further development of this procedure for possible clinical application.