In vivo experiments with powder charcoal haemoperfusion (filmadsorber) in a pig model of hepatic failure

The filmadsorber, an experimental haemoperfusion column containing activated powder charcoal embedded in a colloidal film, has been tested in pigs with ischaemicnecrosis of the Iiver. Haemoperfusion with aflow of 200 mI/min was perfermed for a duration of 4 to 6 hours. Bile acid clearances varied between ± 52 mi/min (1 st hour) and ± 23 mI/min (6th hour). Clearances for aromatic amine acids were initially even higher (phenylalanine 115, tyrosine 112 and methionfne 46 mI/min). No ammonia was removed. Side-effects were minimal, althoug platelets feil 24 ± 15%. We conclude that haemoperfusion with the filmadsorber is weil tolerated and associated with high clearances for bile acids and some amine acids, particularly in the first hours of treatment.