[Temporary hepatic support by extracorporeal baboon liver perfusion in acute hepatic failure (author's transl)].

Eight patients in acute hepatic failure were treated by a total of 41 extracorporeal baboon liver perfusions. Only one has survived to the present. Parameters of good function proved to be oxygen consumption and bile production. Highly elevated aromatic amino acids decreased significantly during one single passage through an extracorporeal perfused baboon liver, as did ammonia while urea increased significantly. The prognosis of these very ill patients can be improved only when the regeneration of their damaged livers starts up again during temporary hepatic support therapy.