"Artificial Liver" Technology Opens up New Path to Hepatic Failure with Severe Hepatitis

The mature "artificial liver" technology recently ushered in the 1500th successfully cured patient in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University Medical College. After 25 years of research and exploration, China's "Artificial Liver" technology, which is located at the leading international level, is bringing hope to more and more patients with severe liver diseases.

The so-called artificial liver technology is a new medical technology that uses blood purification technology to temporarily replace the liver function so that the liver cells can be regenerated and eventually save the lives of patients. As early as 25 years ago, Li Lanjuan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the director of the State Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases at the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Zhejiang University, and her research team began technical research in this area. Its research achievements have not only won national awards for scientific and technological progress and national major scientific research projects, but have also been widely recognized and highly evaluated by the international community. At present, this new technology has been recognized by the international medical community and "opens up a new approach for the treatment of liver failure due to severe hepatitis."

"Unlike conventional treatments, the artificial liver support system can temporarily replace the damaged liver to "exercise" various functions. This includes: removing jaundice and toxins from the liver and supplementing clotting factors and proteins that require the liver to synthesize itself. Academician Li Lanjuan said.

According to clinical statistics from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, the use of artificial liver technology, the hospital's acute, sub-acute severe hepatitis cure improvement rate increased significantly from 21.1% to 88.1%, chronic severe hepatitis cure improvement rate increased significantly from 56.6% to 84.6%. After treatment, the patient's liver function improved significantly, plasma endotoxin and viral load decreased significantly, and consciousness disturbance disappeared or significantly improved.

Asians are susceptible to liver disease and have more than two-thirds of the world's chronic hepatitis B patients. Statistics show that there are more than 90 million hepatitis B infections in China and more than 30 million patients with chronic hepatitis B. Among them, the mortality rate of severe hepatitis is as high as 80%. Many patients die of liver failure due to lack of effective treatment methods or waiting for a suitable donor.

At present, artificial liver technology has become an effective method for rescue of critically ill patients in major hospitals throughout the country. "Artificial liver technology can significantly reduce the mortality rate of patients with acute, subacute fulminant hepatitis. For patients with chronic severe hepatitis who do not have the ability to regenerate stem cells, artificial liver technology can also delay and effectively control the condition and wait for the donor to gain time." Academician Yang Shengli, director of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said.

In 2001, Zhu Dabo received critical medical advice twice because of severe hepatitis. After receiving three “artificial liver” support systems, his indicators were controlled and kept declining, and after more than 20 days of assistance. After the treatment, she was discharged from the hospital.

"Three artificial liver treatments, my indicators were quickly controlled. In another 20 days or so, I was discharged smoothly." The 1500th case of "artificial liver" technology was successfully held in Hangzhou on the 18th. The 76-year-old Zhu Dabo was sturdy and eloquent, telling his personal experience of receiving artificial liver treatment and rejuvenation.

At present, this technology has been promoted and applied in many hospitals in the country, and more than 20,000 patients have benefited from this technology.