Extracorporeal perfusion of pig liver in the treatment of acute liver failure

Abstract
Five patients in deep hepatic coma due to acute liver failure were treated by perfusion of pig liver. All patients showed severe electro-encephalographic changes and 1 patient who recovered showed virtually no cerebral activity. An exchange of 48–94 litres from pig liver to patient was achieved during the procedure. All patients showed neurological improvement after perfusion. Three patients died 2 hours to 10 days after liver perfusion. The remaining 2 patients made a full recovery and are leading a normal life 9 and 14 months after perfusion.
Funding Information
  • Medical Research Council
  • Royal Free Hospital Endowment Fund
  • Ingram Trust
  • Davis Memorial Fund
  • Ministry of Health development