Overview

Efficacy of Albumin Dialysis to Treat Patients With Hepatic Encephalopathy Using The Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS)

Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2004-04-01
Target enrollment:
0
Participant gender:
All
Summary
The primary objective of the study was to compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Extracorporeal Albumin Dialysis (ECAD) using the Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARSĀ®) device in improving severe HE by 2 grades compared to Standard Medical Therapy (SMT) in patients with chronic End Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) during a 5 day study period.
Phase:
N/A
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?
No
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Baxter Healthcare Corporation
Gambro Renal Products, Inc.
Collaborator:
Gambro Renal Products, Inc.
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Signed written informed consent by patient or patient's legally appointed
representative

2. Be at least 18 years of age; male or female

3. Have chronic end stage liver disease with worsening Hepatic Encephalopathy (Grades
3,4).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Clinically significant bleeding from gastrointestinal or other site within the last 24
hours and requires 2 or more units of blood to maintain a stable hemoglobin level

2. Hemodynamically unstable or on vasopressor agents for blood pressure support (except
for renal-dosed dopamine)

3. On acute or chronic hemodialysis or continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)

4. Pregnancy

5. Inability to obtain informed consent

6. Uncontrolled sepsis as defined by hemodynamic instability

7. Post-liver transplant

8. Fulminant hepatic failure

9. Irreversible brain damage as indicated by the neurologic examination and CT imaging

10. Endocarditis

11. Pulmonary edema

12. Massive aspiration pneumonia secondary to Hepatic Encephalopathy

13. Active alcohol consumption as determined by a positive blood ethanol level on
enrollment/admission

14. Acute main portal vein thrombosis in patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma