It could be one of the biggest breakthrough's yet to keep people waiting for a transplant alive. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have been selected to test a new artificial liver device.
When the liver shuts down, the only option for patient treatment is a liver transplant, or at least it was until now. Dr. Guy Neff is one of just a handful of liver specialist in the country selected to conduct a new round of testing on this device. It is called the ELAD. It stands for extracorporeal liver assist device.
"You take the blood out, it goes through the system and comes back in." The device works much like kidney dialysis. It filters dangerous toxins out of the blood when the body can't. So far however, "Exactly what toxin it's pulling out in the body has not been identified."
The idea is that it would be used for seven to ten days, and hopefully in that waiting period for a liver transplant it would help keep patients alive. "It's given them time while we wait for an organ to become available."
Neff's team is scheduled to test the device in those who lose liver function due to certain types of hepatitis and in those with a condition that could serve as a warning to all of us: "The person that may have an acute liver injury is someone that has taken too much tylenol, either through overdose or an overuse, maybe someone who took it for a dental procedure, and then had a cold and took Nyquil, and then ended up with too much Tylenol on a frequent basis."
Enrollment in the trial is expected early this fall.
