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Extracorporeal albumin dialysis for acute liver failure

 
Guidance issued
 
IPG Number: IPG316

Summary

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued updated full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on extracorporeal albumin dialysis for acute liver failure replacing IPG45.

Description

Extracorporeal albumin dialysis for acute-on-chronic liver failure involves pumping blood from the body through a thin membrane coated with albumin. Molecules that bind to the albumin membrane are then removed by passing through a charcoal column and an anion exchange, before being reintroduced into the circuit. Both water-soluble toxins (as in renal dialysis) and strongly albumin-bound toxins are removed by this process.

Albumin is purported to have important transport and detoxifications functions, such as the removal of albumin-bound substances, which may ameliorate some of the problems of liver failure.

OPCS code:

Details

Arrangement:
Special
Topic area:
Digestive system
Therapeutic procedures
Specialty:
Gastroenterology
Specialist advice has been sought from:
  • British Renal Society
  • Intensive Care Society
  • British Association for the Study of the Liver
  • British Society of Gastroenterology
  • Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons for Great Britain and Ireland
Date notified to NICE:
14 April 2003
Provisional consultation date:
Spring 2009
Guidance issue date:
23 September 2009

Contact details:

Project manager (for general enquiries or comments)
(for general enquiries or comments)
Ben Doak
Technical lead
(for procedure specific enquiries or comments)
Steven Barnes
ip@nice.org.uk
Contact Address:

Interventional Procedures Programme
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
MidCity Place
71 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NA

Links: