Evaluation of G3BP1 in the prognosis of acute and acute-on-chronic liver failure after the treatment of artificial liver support system

BACKGROUND The increased expression of G3BP1 was positively correlated with the prognosis of liver failure.AIM To investigate the effect of G3BP1 on the prognosis of acute liver failure(ALF)and acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF)after the treatment of artificial liver support system(ALSS).METHODS A total of 244 patients with ALF and ACLF were enrolled in this study.The levels of G3BP1 on admission and at discharge were detected.The validation set of 514 patients was collected to verify the predicted effect of G3BP1 and the viability of prognosis.RESULTS This study was shown that lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)and prothrombin time were closely related to the prognosis of patients.After the ALSS treatment,the patient’amount of decreased G3BP1 index in difference of G3BP1 between the value of discharge and admission(difG3BP1)<0 group had a nearly 10-fold increased risk of progression compared with the amount of increased G3BP1 index.The subgroup analysis showed that the difG3BP1<0 group had a higher risk of progression,regardless of model for end-stage liver disease high-risk or low-risk group.At the same time,compared with the inflam matory marks[tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin(IL)-1βand IL-18],G3BP1 had higher discrimination and was more stable in the model analysis and validation set.When combined with AFP and LDH,concordance index was respectively 0.84 and 0.8 in training and validation cohorts.CONCLUSION This study indicated that G3BP1 could predict the prognosis of ALF or ACLF patients treated with ALSS.The combination of G3BP1,AFP and LDH could accurately evaluate the disease condition and predict the clinical endpoint of patients.

Nursing Care of 10 Patients with Vasovagal Reflex Caused by Artificial Liver Support System Treatment

This study outlines the essential nursing strategies employed in the care of 10 patients experiencing vascular vagal reflex, managed with artificial liver support systems. It highlights a holistic nursing approach tailored to the distinct clinical manifestations of these patients. Key interventions included early detection of psychological issues prior to initiating treatment, the implementation of comprehensive health education, meticulous monitoring of vital signs throughout the therapy, prompt emergency interventions when needed, adherence to prescribed medication protocols, and careful post-treatment observations including venous catheter management. Following rigorous treatment and dedicated nursing care, 7 patients demonstrated significant improvement and were subsequently discharged.

Plasma exchange-centered artificial liver support system in hepatitis B virus-related acute-onchronic liver failure:a nationwide prospective multicenter study in China

BACKGROUND： Plasma exchange （PE）-centered artificial liver support system reduced the high mortality rate of hepa titis B virus （HBV）-related acute-on-chronic liver failure （ACLF）. But the data were diverse in different medical centers. The present prospective nationwide study was to evaluate the effects of PE on patients with HBV-ACLF at different stages.

Effect of extracorporeal bioartificial liver support system on fulminant hepatic failure rabbits

AIM To evaluate the possibility of usingcultured human hepatocytes as a bridge betweenbioartificial liver and liver transplantation.METHODS In this experiment,the efficacy ofextracorporeal bioartificial liver support system(EBLSS)consisting of spheriodal human livercells and cultured hepatocytes supernatant wasassessed in vivo using galactosamine inducedrabbit model of fulminant hepatic failure.RESULTS There was no difference of survivalbetween the two groups of rabbits,but in thesupported rabbits serum alanineaminotransferase,total bilirubin and creatininewere significantly lower and hepatocyte necrosiswas markedly milder than those in controlanimals.In addition,a good viability of humanliver cells was noted after the experiment.CONCLUSION EBLSS plays a biologic role inmaintaining and compensating the function ofthe liver.

TECA hybrid artificial liver support system in treatment of acute liver failure

AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of TECA type hybrid artificial liver support system (TECA-HALSS) in providing liver function of detoxification, metabolism and physiology by treating the patients with acute liver failure (ALF). METHODS: The porcine liver cells (1-2) x 10(10) were separated from the Chinese small swine and cultured in the bioreactor of TECA-BALSS at 37.0 degrees C and circulated through the outer space of the hollow fiber tubes in BALSS. The six liver failure patients with various degree of hepatic coma were treated by TECA-HALSS and with conventional medicines. The venous plasma of the patients was separated by a plasma separator and treated by charcoal adsorbent or plasma exchange. The plasma circulated through the inner space of the hollow fiber tubes of BALSS and mixed with the patients' blood cells and flew back to their blood circulation. Some small molecular weight substances were exchanged between the plasma and porcine liver cells. Each treatment lasted 6.0-7.0 h. Physiological and biochemical parameters were measured before,during and after the treatment. RESULTS: The average of porcine liver cells was (1.0-3.0) x 10(10) obtained from each swine liver using our modified enzymatic digestion method. The survival rate of the cells was 85%-93% by trypan blue stain and AO/PI fluorescent stain. After cultured in TECA-BALSS bioreactor for 6 h, the survival rate of cells still remained 70%-85%. At the end of TECA-HALSS treatment, the levels of plasma NH(3), ALT, TB and DB were significantly decreased. The patients who were in the state of drowsiness or coma before the treatment improved their appetite significantly and regained consciousness, some patients resumed light physical work on a short period after the treatment.One to two days after the treatment, the ratio of PTA increased warkedly. During the treatment, the heart rates, blood pressure, respiration condition and serum electrolytes (K(+), Na(+) and Cl(-)) were stable without thrombosis and bleeding in all the six patients. CONCLUSION: TECA-HALSS treatment could be a rapid, safe and efficacious method to provide temporary liver support for patients with ALF.

Liver transplantation and artificial liver support in fulminant hepatic failure

INTRODUCTIONFulminant hepatic failure(FHF)is a severe disease with devastating consequences;the incidence is high in China.Before the availability of liver transplantation,the mortality rate was more than 80%[1,2].The advent of liver transplantation revolutionized the outcome of FHF[3,4].However,many patients were unwilling to accept liver transplantation until very late,hence most of them died because of donor shortage and urgency of the disease[5-7],To overcome he problems,we performed orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT)in combination with artificial liver support(ALS) in the treatment of FHF in the past 2 years with satisfactory results.Our experience was reported below.

Hybrid artificial liver support system for treatment of severe liver failure

AIM: To construct a novel hybrid artificial liver support system (HALSS) and to evaluate its efficacy in patients with severe liver failure.METHODS: Hepatocytes were isolated from suckling pig by the modified Seglen's method. Isolated hepatocytes were cultured in a spinner flask for 24 h to form spheroids before use and the functions of spheroids were detected. HALSS consisted of a plasma separator, a hemo-adsorba and a bioreactor with hepatocytes spheroids in its extra-fiber space.HALSS was applied to 10 patients with severe liver failure.The general condition and the biochemical indexes of the patients were studied just before and after the treatment.RESULTS: The number of cells per liver was about 2-4× 1010 (mean, 3.1 ± 1.5 × 1010). The cell viabilities were more than 95%. After 24 h of spheroid culture, most hepatocytes formed spheroids. The levels of albumin and urea in the medium of spheroid culture were higher than those in supernatant of petri dish culture (P = 0.0015 and 0.0001, respectively). The capacity of albumin production and urea synthesis remained stable for more than one wk and declined rapidly after two weeks in vitro. In HALSS group, the duration of HALSS treatment was 6-10 h each time. All patients tolerated the treatment well without any fatal adverse reaction. After HALSS treatment, the general condition, psychic state, encephalopathy and hepatic function of the patients were improved. The survival rate of the HALSS group, Plasmapheresis group and control group was 30% (3/10), 20% (2/10) and 0% (0/10), respectively (P = 0.024). Two weeks after treatment, Tbil and ALT decreased and the PTA level elevated in HALSS group and pasmapheresis group (Pvalue: 0.015 vs 0.020, 0.009vs 0.012 and 0.032 vs 0.041, respectively). But there was no significant change of blood albumin concentration before and after treatment in HAlSS group and Plasmapheresis group.CONCLUSION: The HALSS established by us is effective in supporting liver function of patients with severe liver failure.

Artificial liver support molecular adsorbents recirculating system therapy as a bridge to re-transplantation in two cases of long anhepatic duration

BACKGROUND: Molecular adsorbents recirculating sys- tem (MARS) liver support therapy is the development of albumin dialysis. This study was to assess the successful ap- plication of MARS artificial liver support therapy as a bridge to re-transplantation in two cases of long anhepatic duration. METHODS: MARS therapy was given after failure plasma- exchange ( PE) treatment, which resulted in circulatory de- rangement and acute renal dysfunction in a 36-year-old male patient. Finally his uncontrolled anhepatic condition led to a successful re-transplantation. In another 48-year- old man who was diagnosed as having primary nonfunction (PNF) during the liver transplantation, 10-hour MARS treatment contributed to smooth bridging of his anhepatic phase. RESULTS: The two anhepatic patients were bridged for 26 and 17 hours respectively to re-transplantation with MARS therapy. CONCLUSION: Our experience proves that MARS artifi- cial liver can be an effective support for long time bridging PNF until re-transplantation is available.

Establishment of a risk assessment score for deep vein thrombosis after artificial liver support system treatment

BACKGROUND The artificial liver support system(ALSS)is an effective treatment method for liver failure,but it requires deep venous intubation and long-term indwelling catheterization.However,the coagulation mechanism disorder of basic liver failure diseases,and deep venous thrombosis(DVT)often occur.AIM To evaluate the risk factors for DVT following use of an ALSS and establish a risk assessment score.METHODS This study was divided into three stages.In the first stage,the risk factors for DVT were screened and the patient data were collected,including ALSS treatment information;biochemical indices;coagulation and hematology indices;complications;procoagulant use therapy status;and a total of 24 indicators.In the second stage,a risk assessment score for DVT after ALSS treatment was developed.In the third stage,the DVT risk assessment score was validated.RESULTS A total of 232 patients with liver failure treated with ALSS were enrolled in the first stage,including 12 with lower limb DVT.Logistic regression analysis showed that age[odds ratio(OR),1.734;P=0.01],successful catheterization time(OR,1.667;P=0.005),activity status(strict bed rest)(OR,3.049;P=0.005),and D-dimer level(≥500 ng/mL)(OR,5.532;P<0.001)were independent risk factors for DVT.We then established a scoring system for risk factors.In the validation group,a total of 213 patients with liver failure were treated with ALSS,including 14 with lower limb DVT.When the cutoff value of risk assessment was 3,the specificity and sensitivity of the risk assessment score were 88.9%and 85.7%,respectively.CONCLUSION A simple risk assessment scoring system was established for DVT patients with liver failure treated with ALSS and was verified to have good sensitivity and specificity.

Experimental study of bioartificial liver with cultured human liver cells

AIM To establish an extracorporeal bioartificial liver support system (EBLSS) using cultured human liver cells and to study its support effect for fulminant hepatic failure (FHF).METHODS The liver support experiment of EBLSS consisting of aggregates cultured human liver cells, hollow fiber bioreactor, and circulation unit was carried out in dizhepatic dogs.RESULTS The viability of isolated hepatocytes and nonparenchymal liver cells reached 96%. These cells were successfully cultured as multicellular spheroids with synthetic technique. The typical morphological appearance was retained up to the end of the artificial liver experiment. Compared with the control dogs treated with EBLSS without liver cells, the survival time of artificial liver support dogs was significantly prolonged. The changes of blood pressure, heart rate and ECG were slow. Both serum ammonia and lactate levels were significantly lowered at the 3rd h and 5th h. In addition, a good viability of human liver cells was noted after 5 h experiment.CONCLUSION EBLSS playing a metabolic role of cultured human hepatocytes, is capable of compensating the function of the liver, and could provide effective artificial liver support and therapy for patients with FHF.

Major liver resections,perioperative issues and posthepatectomy liver failure:A comprehensive update for the anesthesiologist

Significant advances in surgical techniques and relevant medium-and long-term outcomes over the past two decades have led to a substantial expansion in the indications for major liver resections.To support these outstanding results and to reduce perioperative complications,anesthesiologists must address and master key perioperative issues(preoperative assessment,proactive intraoperative anesthesia strategies,and implementation of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery approach).Intensive care unit monitoring immediately following liver surgery remains a subject of active and often unresolved debate.Among postoperative complications,posthepatectomy liver failure(PHLF)occurs in different grades of severity(A-C)and frequency(9%-30%),and it is the main cause of 90-d postoperative mortality.PHLF,recently redefined with pragmatic clinical criteria and perioperative scores,can be predicted,prevented,or anticipated.This review highlights:(1)The systemic consequences of surgical manipulations anesthesiologistsmust respond to or prevent,to positively impact PHLF(a proactive approach);and(2)the maximal intensivetreatment of PHLF,including artificial options,mainly based,so far,on Acute Liver Failure treatment(s),to buytime waiting for the recovery of the native liver or,when appropriate and in very selected cases,toward livertransplant.Such a clinical context requires a strong commitment to surgeons,anesthesiologists,and intensivists towork together,for a fruitful collaboration in a mandatory clinical continuum.

Application Status and Prospect of Bio-artificial Liver

Liver failure which can be caused by viral hepatitis,alcohol,drugs,metabolic diseases,autoimmune processes or other fac tors is the end stage of chronic liver disease.Although liver transplantation is currently considered to be the primary treatment measures of chronic liver disease.Due to donor shortages,surgical complications and immune rejection,cell therapy has been extensively studied.?Hepa tocyte transplantation and artificial liver have evolved into a simpler alternative to liver failure treatment.Artificial liver can be used as Liver replacement therapy in patients who were waiting for the liver transplantation with chronic liver disease.The ideal biological artificial liver must have the liver material metabolism,detoxification,synthesis and secretion and other functions.Nowadays bio-artificial liver has carried out a large number of clinical trials and get some progress.?This article is now discuss the status of bio-artificial liver and its re placement therapy prospects.

人工肝支持系统相关血源性病原体感染预防与控制专家共识

人工肝支持系统(简称人工肝)是目前治疗肝衰竭的重要手段,因部分患者为血源性病原体携带者或感染者,在治疗过程中患者及医护人员存在血源性病原体感染的风险。我国人工肝相关血源性病原体感染防控策略相关研究处于起步阶段,缺乏规范性、一致性认识。为此,中华护理学会传染病护理专业委员会、湖南省护理学会传染病护理专业委员会组织国内专家,基于国家医院感染防控的相关法律、法规,参考国内外人工肝治疗及血源性病原体感染防控现状,结合我国临床诊疗指南及最佳临床实践证据要求,经反复讨论、修改形成本共识。共识通过对人工肝治疗各环节的风险评估,制定规避风险的安全操作流程,主要包括人工肝室设置、制度管理要求、治疗过程基于患者及医护人员防控细则、暴露处理流程等25项专家共识内容,为人工肝相关血源性病原体感染预防与控制提供临床指导,规避血源性病原体职业暴露及院内感染风险,保障患者及医护人员安全。

DRG付费改革背景下慢加急性肝衰竭患者费用盈亏分析

目的分析DRG付费改革背景下慢加急性肝衰竭(ACLF)患者住院费用与医院盈亏情况,为调整优化DRG支付标准提供参考依据。方法2022年3月~2023年12月首都医科大学附属北京佑安医院住院治疗的ACLF患者,检索电子病案系统、费用数据库和医保数据库,计算年龄校正的Charlson合并症指数(aCCI)。结果在收治的北京市医保支付的ACLF患者377例中,经排除后纳入147例患者,男性120例,女性27例,年龄为56.0(43.5,64.0)岁,住院日为17.0(12.0,26.5)d,aCCI为5.0(4.0,6.0),住院费用为3.8(2.5,6.7)万元,日均费用为0.2(0.2,0.3)万元,住院病死率为37.4%,住院费用医院亏损率为53.7%;30%HS11组和49.1%HS15组亏损,平均亏损0.2万元;接受人工肝治疗患者被分为HJ1组,78.9%亏损,平均亏损金额为10.3万元;90.9%HJ13组亏损,平均亏损3.5万元;HJ11组和HJ13组材料费占比分别为17.5%和21.0%,显著高于HS11组的3.8%或HS15组的3.0%(P<0.001);HS11组和HS15组盈余患者中位住院时间均为12.0 d,亏损患者则分别为28.0 d和18.5 d(P<0.001);HJ11组亏损患者较盈余患者年龄更轻,aCCI更低(P<0.05)。结论大部分DRG分组的ACLF患者医院都是亏损的,尤其是接受人工肝治疗者。建议将住院日纳入DRG分组元素,适当提高DRG分组支付标准,以保证重危肝病患者的救治。

多元化共情护理干预对人工肝支持系统治疗肝衰竭患者的影响

目的探讨多元化共情护理干预对人工肝支持系统(ALSS)治疗肝衰竭患者的影响。方法将64例采用ALSS治疗的肝衰竭患者按照就诊顺序分为对照组和观察组,各32例。对照组患者采用常规护理干预,观察组患者采用多元化共情护理干预。采用心理弹性量表(CD-RISC)、一般自我效能感量表(GSES)、自我护理能力测量量表(ESCA)及欧洲五维健康量表(EQ-5D)评定干预前后两组患者心理弹性、自我效能感、自我护理能力及健康状况。结果干预后,两组患者CD-RISC、GSES、ESCA、EQ-5D评分均高于干预前,且观察组高于对照组(P<0.01)。结论多元化共情护理干预可有效提高ALSS治疗肝衰竭患者的心理弹性水平和自我效能感,增强患者自我护理能力,改善其健康状况。

人工肝支持系统联合全程护理在肝硬化患者中的应用效果

目的探讨人工肝支持系统联合全程护理在肝硬化患者中的应用效果。方法选取2020年6月至2023年1月山西医科大学第一医院收治的126例肝硬化患者作为本次研究对象,按照随机数字表法分为对照组(人工肝支持系统+常规护理,63例)和观察组(人工肝支持系统+全程护理,63例)。干预2个月后,对比2组的肝功能指标和肝储备功能,以及生活质量和护理满意度。结果干预2个月后,观察组的丙氨酸氨基转移酶、总胆红素和天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶水平均低于对照组,白蛋白水平高于对照组;观察组的肝脏有效循环量、吲哚菁绿15 min潴留率和终末期肝病模型评分均低于对照组,生活质量评分和护理满意率均高于对照组(P均<0.05);2组的上述指标和评分与干预前相比均更优(P均<0.05)。结论将人工肝支持系统联合全程护理应用于肝硬化患者,可改善其肝功能指标和肝储备功能,提高其生活质量和护理满意度。

Liver transplantation in China: problems and their solutions

BACKGROUND: The past decade has witnessed the rapid development of liver transplantation in China. The 1-year survival of liver transplant patients comes to 80% in many leading medical centers and the number of liver transplanta- tion is increasing. However, liver transplantation in China is facing several challenges including recipient with hepato- cellular carcinoma (HCC), recurrence of HCC and hepati- tis B, long-term postoperative care, the bridge to liver transplantation, and shortage of liver donor. This review was to understand the status of and problems in liver trans- plantation in China. DATA RESOURCES: An English-language literature search using MEDLINE (1990-2003) on liver transplantation and other related reports and review articles in Chinese from major transplant centers in China. RESULTS: HCC is one of the main indications for liver transplantation in China but different centers adopted dif- ferent criteria for selection of patients. Hepatitis B virus re- infection is a vital problem after liver transplantation in HBV-related patients. More and more attention was fo- cused on long-term postoperative care and donor shortage. Artificial liver support system has been applied in patients waiting for a graft in many centers. CONCLUSIONS: HCC remains to be one of the main indi- cations for liver transplantation in China; combined hepati- tis B immune globulin and lamivudine is considered effec- tive to prevent hepatitis B virus reinfection. Apart from long-term postoperative care for the improvement of the survival rate, early steroid withdrawal is feasible in liver transplantation. Living donor liver transplantation, split liv- er transplantation, and marginal donor transplantation can deal with donor shortage to some extent. Artificial liver as- sist system serves as a bridge to liver transplantation.

Novel D-galactosamine-induced cynomolgus monkey model of acute liver failure

AIM To establish a simplified, reproducible D-galactosamineinduced cynomolgus monkey model of acute liver failure having an appropriate treatment window. METHODS Sixteen cynomolgus monkeys were randomly dividedinto four groups(A, B, C and D) after intracranial pressure(ICP) sensor implantation. D-galactosamine at 0.3, 0.25, 0.20 + 0.05(24 h interval), and 0.20 g/kg body weight, respectively, was injected via the small saphenous vein. Vital signs, ICP, biochemical indices, and inflammatory factors were recorded at 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h after D-galactosamine administration. Progression of clinical manifestations, survival times, and results of H&E staining, TUNEL, and Masson staining were recorded. RESULTS Cynomolgus monkeys developed different degrees of debilitation, loss of appetite, and jaundice after D-galactosamine administration. Survival times of groups A, B, and C were 56 ± 8.7 h, 95 ± 5.5 h, and 99 ± 2.2 h, respectively, and in group D all monkeys survived the 144-h observation period except for one, which died at 136 h. Blood levels of ALT, AST, CK, LDH, TBi L, Cr, BUN, and ammonia, prothrombin time, ICP, endotoxin, and inflammatory markers [(tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, interleukin(IL)-1β, and IL-6)] significantly increased compared with baseline values in different groups(P < 0.05). Pathological results showed obvious liver cell necrosis that was positively correlated with the dose of D-galactosamine.CONCLUSION We successfully established a simplified, reproducible D-galactosamine-induced cynomolgus monkey model of acute liver failure, and the single or divided dosage of 0.25 g/kg is optimal for creating this model.

Progress in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure treatment in China:A large,multicenter,retrospective cohort study using a propensity score matching analysis

Background:Hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure(HBV-ACLF)has a high short-term mortality.However,the treatment progression for HBV-ACLF in China in the past decade has not been well characterized.The present study aimed to determine whether the HBV-ACLF treatment has significantly improved during the past decade.Methods:This study retrospectively compared short-term(28/56 days)survival rates of two different nationwide cohorts(cohort I:2008-2011 and cohort II:2012-2015).Eligible HBV-ACLF patients were enrolled retrospectively.Patients in the cohorts I and II were assigned either to the standard medical therapy(SMT)group(cohort I-SMT,cohort II-SMT)or artificial liver support system(ALSS)group(cohort IALSS,cohort II-ALSS).Propensity score matching analysis was conducted to eliminate baseline differences,and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the independent factors for 28-day survival.Results:Short-term(28/56 days)survival rates were significantly higher in the ALSS group than those in the SMT group(P<0.05)and were higher in the cohort II than those in the cohort I(P<0.001).After propensity score matching,short-term(28/56 days)survival rates were higher in the cohort II than those in the cohort I for both SMT(60.7%vs.53.0%,50.0%vs.39.8%,P<0.05)and ALSS(66.1%vs.56.5%,53.0%vs.44.4%,P<0.05)treatments.The 28-day survival rate was higher in patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogs than in patients without such treatments(P=0.046).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ALSS(OR=0.962,95%CI:0.951-0.973,P=0.038),nucleos(t)ide analogs(OR=0.927,95%CI:0.871-0.983,P=0.046),old age(OR=1.028,95%CI:1.015-1.041,P<0.001),total bilirubin(OR=1.002,95%CI:1.001-1.003,P=0.004),INR(OR=1.569,95%CI:1.044-2.358,P<0.001),COSSH-ACLF grade(OR=2.683,95%CI:1.792-4.017,P<0.001),and albumin(OR=0.952,95%CI:0.924-0.982,P=0.002)were independent factors for 28-day mortality.Conclusions:The treatment for patients with HBV-ACLF has improved in the past decade.

Efficacy of liver transplantation for acute hepatic failure:asingle-center experience

BACKGROUND:Acute hepatic failure (AHF) is a devastating clinical syndrome with a high mortality rate.The outcome of AHF varies with etiology,but liver transplantation (LT) can significantly improve the prognosis and survival rate of such patients.This study aimed to detect the role of LT and artificial liver support systems (ALSS) for AHF patients and to analyze the etiology and outcome of patients with this disease.METHODS:A retrospective analysis was made of 48 consecutive patients with AHF who fulfilled the Kings College Criteria for LT at our center.We analyzed and compared the etiology,outcome,prognosis,and survival rates of patients between the transplantation (LT) group and the non-transplantation (N-LT) group.RESULTS:AHF was due to viral hepatitis in 25 patients (52.1%;hepatitis B virus in 22),drug or toxic reactions in 14 (29.2%;acetaminophen in 6),Wilson disease in 4 (8.3%),unknown reasons in 3 (6.3%),and miscellaneous conditions in 2 (4.2%).In the LT group,36 patients (7 underwent living donor LT,and 29 cadaveric LT) had an average model for endstage liver disease score (MELD) of 35.7.Twenty-eight patients survived with good graft function after a follow-up of 27.3± 4.5 months.During the waiting time,6 patients were treated with ALSS and 2 of them died during hospitalization.The 30-day,12-month,and 18-month survival rates were 77.8%,72.2%,and 66.7%,respectively.In the N-LT group,12 patients had an average MELD score of 34.5.Four patients were treated with ALSS and all died during hospitalization.The 90-day and 1-year survival rates were only 16.7% and 8.3%,respectively.CONCLUSIONS:Hepatitis is the most prominent cause of AHF at our center.Most patients with AHF,who fulfill the Kings College Criteria for LT,did not survive longer without LT.ALSS did not improve the prognosis of AHF patients,but may extend the waiting time for a donor.Currently,LT is still the most effective way to improve the prognosis of AHF patients.