ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Acute poisoning (AP) may cause failure of the liver and kidney, and even death. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of artificial liver support system (ALSS) on the treatment of liver failure after acute poisoning. METHODS: A total of 31 patients with liver failure caused by AP were admitted to emergency ICU, central ICU, and Department of Gastroenterology from 2005 to 2009 in Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, China. Among them, 13 patients served as a treatment group, and used ALSS in addition to detoxification treatment and protective treatment of liver function, and the other 18 patients served as a control group receiving detoxification treatment and protective treatment of liver function. RESULTS: In the treatment group, 10 patients (76.9％) were cured or improved, 2 died, and 1 was discharged against advice. In the 18 patients in the control group, 7 (38.9％) were cured or improved, 3 died, and 8 were discharged against advice. There was a significant difference in the rates of improvement between the two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: ALSS is a safe and effective clinical method for the treatment of acute toxic liver failure.