Molecular adsorbents recirculating system (MARS): a haemo-dialysis and haemo-filtration device for acute liver failure

Mundy L, Merlin T, Braunack-Mayer A, Hiller J
Record ID 32018000679
English
Authors' results and conclusions: The highest level of evidence (level I intervention evidence) suggests that molecular adsorbents recirculating system (MARS) therapy may increase the survival of patients with liver failure. However, the analysis was under-powered to determine with assurance whether this result was statistically significant relative to the therapy with standard medical management. High quality evidence also suggests that MARS has a beneficial impact on several surrogate physiological outcomes.
Authors' recommendations: MARS therapy may offer survival benefit for patients with acute or acute on chronic liver disease, however there is currently insufficient evidence to support this hypothesis for either condition. Acute on chronic liver failure patients may be more likely to benefit from treatment with MARS due to the nature of their disease, which is episodic, precipitated by an event such as a bleed or infection. MARS treatment may assist these patients to recover sufficiently to then benefit from a liver transplantation. In addition, costs are likely to be high for the few patients likely to benefit. More robust evidence will be available in March 2008 when the results of two large ongoing trials should be published.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2006
URL for published report: Not Available
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Full HTA
Country: Australia
MeSH Terms
  • Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure
  • Liver Failure, Acute
  • Liver, Artificial
  • Sorption Detoxification
Contact
Organisation Name: Adelaide Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address: School of Public Health, Mail Drop 545, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, AUSTRALIA, Tel: +61 8 8313 4617
Contact Name: ahta@adelaide.edu.au
Contact Email: ahta@adelaide.edu.au
Copyright: Adelaide Health Technology Assessment (AHTA)
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