Clinical Experience of Bead-Shaped Charcoal Haemoperfusion in Chronic Renal Failure and Fulminant Hepatic Failure

Summary

A new dialysis system using direct haemoperfusion with collodion-micro-encapsulated, albumin-coated, bead-shaped petroleum activated carbon and artificial kidney in series has been devised. This new system has been applied to the purpose of treatment of patients in chronic renal failure, fulminant hepatic failure and intoxication.

For the purpose of an artificial kidney, about 400 dialyses have been performed on 3 patients as a chronic haemodialysis (19, 16 and 3 months). This system is available to cut off regular haemodialysis time to 3 hours with good results. During 3 hours dialysis, reduction ratio of BUN was 48.1%, that of creatinine 49. 6%, and that of uric acid 61.6%. Blood cells were slightly increased in 3 hours dialysis and adjustment of blood pH and base excess were done well with excellent removal of water approximately 2.5 liters in each dialysis.

For the purpose of artificial liver assist in fulminant hepatic failure, this system was applied to 10 patients. Fourty-five dialyses have been done on 10 patients with hepatic coma due to viral hepatitis and drug hepatitis. As a result, 3 of 7 patients, who improved their conciousness, were alive.