Extracorporeal Liver Support (ELS) systems are advanced medical devices designed to temporarily assist or replace liver function in patients with acute liver failure or chronic liver disease exacerbations. These systems aim to provide detoxification, support metabolic functions, and bridge patients to liver recovery or transplantation.

Extracorporeal Liver Support

The liver is a vital organ responsible for numerous essential functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of biochemicals necessary for digestion. Its efficient functioning is crucial for maintaining metabolic homeostasis and overall health.

Liver Function

Acute liver failure is a rapid deterioration of liver function resulting in coagulopathy and altered mental status in individuals without pre-existing liver disease. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe complications and improve survival outcomes.

Acute Liver Failure

Chronic liver disease refers to a range of liver conditions that progress over time, leading to liver damage and potentially resulting in liver failure. It is often caused by factors such as viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, necessitating early diagnosis and management to prevent severe complications.

Chronic Liver Disease

Detoxification is the physiological or medicinal removal of toxic substances from a living organism, primarily carried out by the liver. While it is a natural process, various detox diets and regimens claim to enhance the body's ability to eliminate toxins, though scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited.

Detoxification

Metabolic functions encompass the chemical reactions and processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life, including energy production, growth, and waste elimination. These functions are vital for sustaining cellular activities, regulating body temperature, and adapting to environmental changes.

Metabolic Functions

Liver recovery

Liver transplantation is a surgical procedure that replaces a diseased liver with a healthy liver from a donor, often used as a life-saving treatment for end-stage liver disease or acute liver failure. The success of the procedure depends on factors such as donor-recipient matching, post-operative care, and the management of immunosuppressive therapy to prevent organ rejection.

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