The use of a single pass albumin dialysis for the management of liver failure- a case series
Intoduction. A single pass albumin dialysis (SPAD) is a form of extracorporeal liver support system for the removal of albumin-bound toxins and water-soluble substances that accumulate in liver failure (LF). Case report. We present a retrospective case series of three patients hospitalized for LF and treated using the SPAD in the Clinical Center of Vojvodina, between 2018 and 2019. Of whom, two patients presenting with acute liver failure and one with acute-on-chronic liver failure. A total of 6 SPAD sessions were performed in each patient, resulting in decreased serum bilirubin and bile acid levels, and hepatic encephalopathy grade. On discharge from the hospital, liver function has been shown to improve in all the patients. Conclusion. SPAD removes the hepatotoxic substances without improvement of synthetic liver function, providing a supportive treatment for LF patients that do not respond to standard of care offering longer time for bridging to organ transplantation or spontaneous recovery of the liver function.