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Early Postoperative Extracorporal Liver Support Therapy (ELS) as a Tool to Manage Post Hepatectomy Liver Failure (PLF)

Early Postoperative Extracorporal Liver Support Therapy (ELS) as a Tool to Manage Post Hepatectomy Liver Failure (PLF)

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03011424
Enrollment
10
Registered
2017-01-05
Start date
2013-10-31
Completion date
2015-11-30
Last updated
2019-01-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Post Hepatectomy Liver Failure

Keywords

Liver resection, post hepatectomy liver failure, liver dialysis, encephalopathy, mortality

Brief summary

Early postoperative extracorporal liver support therapy (ELS) as a tool to manage post hepatectomy liver failure (PLF). Post-operative liver failure (PLF) has been identified as a major risk factor leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The incidence of PLF varies largely between 0-30%, and may be accounted for the main reason of postoperative mortality related to liver surgery (reported figures ranging from 18 to 75 %). Currently, there are only a few treatment options for PLF, mainly restricted to the treatment of complications like bile leakage, infections as well as the prevention of further liver damage caused by e.g. thrombosis or haemorrhage as well as administration of liver toxic drugs. Recently the international study group on liver surgery (ISGLS) published criteria for a new definition of PLF which will greatly facilitate the comparison of results from future studies on a variety of aspects on liver failure. ELS by using the Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) is based on a modified haemodialysis that allows the removal of water-soluble and protein bound toxins over an albumin-coated high flux membrane against recycled exogenous albumin. Thus, MARS can support the compromised detoxification capacity of the liver as well as improve physiological parameters. This would offer the potential for temporary support for the harmed liver after liver resection allowing for a more uneventful recovery. For obvious reasons previous reports contain few patients, present heterogonous treatment groups and all suffer from lack of standardized treatment protocols. Few if any surviving patients, thus providing no evidence to encourage ELS as a possible treatment option for patients suffering of PLF. However, studies with defined patient populations and treatments according to a predefined standardised treatment protocol are warranted. Primary issues to be addressed: 1. Can ELS be applied in an early phase of PLF? 2. Is ELS safe and feasible for the treatment of PLF when practised according to a predefined protocol? Secondary issues to be addressed: 1. The development of predictive laboratory-chemical markers of liver failure 2. Indirect measures of portal flow and portal pressure 3. Indocyanine green clearance (ICG) under ELS treatment 4. Clearance of toxic products as assessed in aliquots taken from the dialysate

Detailed description

Primary issues to be addressed 1. Can ELS be applied in an early phase of PLF? 2. Is ELS safe and feasible for the treatment of PLF when practised according to a predefined protocol? Secondary issues to be addressed 1. The development of predictive laboratory-chemical markers of liver failure 2. Indirect measures of portal flow and portal pressure 3. Indocyanine green clearance (ICG) under ELS treatment 4. Clearance of toxic products as assessed in aliquots taken from the dialysate Design * Prospective phase 1 safety and feasibility study Study Population * 10 consecutive patients being subjected to extended liver surgery (at least right sided or extended right/left sided hemihepatectomy)

Interventions

DEVICEExtracorporeal liver support therapy (ELS)

ELS by using the Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) is based on a modified haemodialysis that allows the removal of water-soluble and protein bound toxins over an albumin-coated high flux membrane against recycled exogenous albumin.

Sponsors

Karolinska University Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age between 18 and 70 years * Patients subjected for major liver surgery (4 or more Couinaud segments, ca. 50 % or more of total liver volume) * Pre-operative chemotherapy and/or biological agents are allowed * Liver cirrhosis Child Pugh Score A is allowed

Exclusion criteria

* Any contra indication for ELS such as uncontrolled active bleeding or platelet counts \<20.000 /µl * Macroscopic liver cirrhosis (Child Pugh Score B and C) * Inability or unwilling to give informed consent

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of PLF patients who develop serious adverse events during ELS according to SOFA scores and Westhaven criteriaFirst two weeks postoperatively after major hepatectomyAt least five sessions of Mars. SOFA (score 1-4).
Number of PLF patients who develop serious adverse events during ELSFirst two weeks postoperatively after major hepatectomyAt least five sessions of Mars. Westhaven (criteria 1-4)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The predictive value of liver enzymes and bilirubin changes as marker of liver failureFirst two weeks postoperatively after major hepatectomyAt least five sessions of Mars. Liver enzymes measured( liver transaminases microkat/L ), bilirubin (mmol/L)
Portal flow (ml/minute) before and during ELSFirst two weeks postoperatively after major hepatectomyAt least five sessions of Mars
To assess liver function by use of Indocyanine green clearance (ICG)(% clearance/unit time) under ELS treatmentFirst two weeks postoperatively after major hepatectomyAt least five sessions of Mars
Portal pressure (cmH2O) before and during ELSFirst two weeks postoperatively after major hepatectomyAt least five sessions of Mars

Countries

Sweden

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 11, 2026