AI Summary Extracorporeal liver support (liver dialysis) is a short-term treatment that uses an external system to remove certain albumin-bound toxins from the blood in selected patients with severe liver failure.
Medically reviewed.
Extracorporeal liver support, sometimes called liver dialysis, is a specialized treatment that uses an external blood-cleansing system to remove certain toxins and substances that build up when the liver cannot adequately perform its normal functions. Systems such as MARS (Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System) use albumin-based dialysis and adsorption to remove albumin-bound substances from the blood. It is used for short-term support in selected patients with severe liver dysfunction. Treatment decisions should always be individualized and guided by a healthcare professional.
This page covers the role of liver dialysis in severe liver failure: how it works, who may be eligible, benefits, risks, and monitoring. You can also connect with a liver specialist near you for personalized guidance on whether liver dialysis fits your care plan.
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ABOUT LIVER DIALYSIS TREATMENT
Extracorporeal liver support, also called liver dialysis, is a specialized treatment that uses an external blood-cleansing system to remove certain toxins and substances that build up when the liver cannot adequately do its normal work. "Extracorporeal" means the blood is cleaned outside the body.
Systems such as MARS (Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System) use albumin-based dialysis and adsorption to remove albumin-bound substances from the blood. Albumin is a protein in the blood that carries some substances through the body.
These therapies may be used for short-term support in selected patients with severe liver dysfunction, including acute liver failure or acute-on-chronic liver failure. Doctors may use them as a rescue therapy or as a bridge to liver transplantation. Liver dialysis is a short-term support, not a long-term replacement for liver function.
WHO LIVER DIALYSIS MAY BE SUITABLE FOR
Eligibility for liver dialysis depends on how severe your liver failure is, what caused it, and your overall health. Your healthcare provider may recommend it for short-term support if you have severe acute liver failure or acute-on-chronic liver failure, and your specialist decides it fits into intensive liver failure care.
It may also be considered when your liver is temporarily unable to remove certain toxins and waste products, when you need temporary support while the liver recovers, or when you are being evaluated for or awaiting a liver transplant.
Every patient's situation is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer. A qualified liver specialist decides whether liver dialysis is appropriate after a full assessment.
ELIGIBILITY OVERVIEW
Liver dialysis may be considered for selected patients with the following conditions or treatment goals:
Before treatment, the care team assesses several factors to decide whether liver dialysis is appropriate, including:
HOW LIVER DIALYSIS CAN HELP YOUR LIVER
Liver dialysis circulates your blood through an extracorporeal treatment system, a machine outside the body. Depending on the technology, the system uses albumin dialysis, adsorption, or other blood purification techniques to remove certain albumin-bound toxins and other substances.
This helps reduce the build-up of substances linked to severe liver dysfunction. It does not replace the liver. It provides temporary support while the liver recovers or while definitive treatment is arranged.
In selected patients, this support may serve as a bridge to liver transplantation while a transplant evaluation or donor organ becomes available.
LIVER BENEFITS
During treatment, your blood travels out of your body and through an extracorporeal treatment system. The system cleans the blood, and the cleaned blood then returns to your body. This gives your body a way to clear substances that your liver cannot remove well on its own right now.
Albumin is a protein in the blood that carries some substances through the body. When the liver is severely damaged, certain toxins stay attached to albumin and build up. Albumin dialysis and adsorption are designed to remove these albumin-bound toxins and other substances. Systems such as MARS use this approach.
Liver support systems do not all work the same way. Depending on the technology, the system may use albumin dialysis, adsorption, or other blood purification techniques. Each method is designed to remove selected toxins and metabolites from the blood. Your care team chooses an approach based on your condition.
When the liver cannot do its normal work, substances linked to severe liver dysfunction can accumulate. Removing some of them may help reduce that build-up. This provides temporary support while your liver recovers or while your care team arranges definitive treatment, such as a liver transplant evaluation.
Liver dialysis provides temporary support by removing certain toxins from the blood. It does not replace the liver, and it should only be used and monitored by a qualified healthcare team.
TREATMENT PROCESS
Patients are evaluated in a hospital or a specialized liver or intensive-care setting. The care team assesses blood tests, hemodynamic status, kidney function, coagulation status, and the underlying cause of liver failure before treatment.
Blood is circulated through an extracorporeal liver support system. Depending on the technology used, albumin dialysis, adsorption, or other blood purification techniques remove selected toxins and metabolites.
Treatment is generally temporary. It may involve repeated sessions over several days, depending on the patient's clinical condition and response. It is used for a short period rather than as a long-term replacement for liver function.
In selected patients with severe liver failure, liver dialysis may be used as a bridge to liver transplantation while a transplant evaluation or donor organ becomes available.
The care team needs to monitor blood pressure, heart rate, coagulation parameters, kidney function, electrolytes, liver function, and treatment response continuously or frequently.
BENEFITS AND SAFETY
Liver dialysis may help remove certain albumin-bound toxins and other substances that build up during severe liver dysfunction. It can provide temporary support while the liver recovers or while definitive treatment is arranged, and it may help selected patients who are waiting for a liver transplant. The extent of benefit varies from person to person, depending on the cause of liver failure and the patient's overall condition.
Liver dialysis is not a stand-alone or long-term treatment. It works as part of intensive liver failure care directed by a specialist team.
As with any procedure, liver dialysis carries risks. These include low blood pressure, bleeding or changes in blood clotting, and infection related to vascular access (the place where tubes connect to your blood vessels). Your care team monitors you closely throughout treatment.
BENEFITS
Liver dialysis helps remove certain albumin-bound toxins and other substances that build up during severe liver dysfunction. Clearing some of these substances may reduce the strain that liver failure places on the body.
The treatment supports your body from outside while your liver recovers or while your care team arranges definitive treatment. It is used for a short period, often over several days, and it does not replace liver function in the long term.
For selected patients who are being evaluated for or waiting for a liver transplant, liver dialysis may offer temporary support. It can help bridge the time until a transplant evaluation is complete or a donor organ becomes available.
Liver dialysis gives specialists an additional approach for selected patients with severe liver failure, including acute liver failure and acute-on-chronic liver failure. It is used as part of intensive liver failure care, and the benefit varies from person to person.
Your healthcare team will discuss the potential benefits and risks before treatment and monitor blood pressure, clotting, kidney function, electrolytes, and blood counts to support safe use.
SUPPORTING YOUR RESULTS
Lifestyle changes do not replace liver dialysis. Liver dialysis is a short-term, hospital-based treatment directed by your specialist team, and it does not take over liver function in the long term. Nutrition and daily habits still matter for the liver disease behind it and for your recovery.
The points below come from reviewed guidance on nutrition and recovery in advanced liver disease. Your care team decides which ones fit your situation.
Areas that may support treatment:
COMMON QUESTIONS
No, liver dialysis is not the same as kidney dialysis. Liver dialysis, also called extracorporeal liver support, uses an external system to clean the blood of certain toxins that build up when the liver cannot do its normal work. Systems such as MARS use albumin-based dialysis and adsorption to remove albumin-bound substances. Ask your healthcare professional how this treatment differs from other dialysis types and whether it applies to you.
No, liver dialysis does not cure liver failure or replace the liver. It provides short-term support while the liver recovers or while definitive treatment, such as a liver transplant, is arranged. How much it helps varies from person to person, depending on the cause of liver failure and your overall condition. Talk with your healthcare professional about realistic goals for your care.
Liver dialysis may be considered for selected people with severe acute liver failure or acute-on-chronic liver failure. It may also be considered if you need temporary support while the liver recovers, or if you are being evaluated for or awaiting a liver transplant. Before treatment, your care team reviews blood tests, kidney function, and the cause of liver failure. Your specialist decides whether liver dialysis is appropriate for you.
Liver dialysis treatment is generally short-term and may involve repeated sessions over several days. The length depends on your condition and how you respond. It is used for a short period, not as a long-term replacement for liver function. Your care team monitors blood pressure, kidney function, and treatment response during this time. Ask your healthcare professional what timeline to expect in your situation.
Yes, in selected patients with severe liver failure, liver dialysis may serve as a bridge to liver transplantation. It provides temporary support while a transplant evaluation is completed or a donor organ becomes available. It does not replace the liver, and it is used only in selected patients. Your liver specialist can explain whether this option fits your care plan.
Common risks include low blood pressure, bleeding or changes in blood clotting, infection related to vascular access, electrolyte or fluid disturbances, and anemia or changes in blood cell counts. Vascular access is the place where tubes connect to your blood vessels. Your care team monitors you closely during treatment. Discuss the potential benefits and risks with your healthcare professional before starting.
Medical disclaimer: LiverDirectory provides educational information and a directory of providers. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician regarding any medical condition.
