Intracranial pressure observations in a canine model of acute liver failure supported by a bioartificial liver support system

Artif Organs. 2007 Nov;31(11):834-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1594.2007.00476.x.

Abstract

Life-threatening, severely elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is a common feature of acute liver failure (ALF). Perfusion with a bioartificial liver may serve to mitigate rising ICP. A retrospective analysis of ICP measurements in a canine ALF model prospectively supported with a bioartificial liver support system (BLSS) is presented. Animals are divided into two groups based upon care provided: (i) standard medical care (n = 6); and (ii) standard medical care plus BLSS support (n = 9). Nonparametric analysis with respect to ICP, arterial NH(3), lactate, and supportive-care parameters found BLSS-supported animals evidenced significantly less metabolic acidosis than unsupported animals. Analysis of variance/linear regression for direct dependence of ICP on arterial NH(3), lactate, and supportive care parameters irrespective of care found ICP was uncorrelated with any measured factor (P > 0.06 for all factors). Lack of correlation of ICP with the considered parameters indicates that none of these factors are predictive of the extent of ICP elevation in the D-galactosamine canine model. Blood chemistry and supportive care factors that are correlated with and predictive of ICP elevation remain to be identified.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dogs
  • Galactosamine
  • Intracranial Hypertension / etiology
  • Intracranial Hypertension / prevention & control*
  • Intracranial Pressure
  • Liver Failure, Acute / complications*
  • Liver Failure, Acute / mortality
  • Liver Failure, Acute / therapy*
  • Liver, Artificial*
  • Probability
  • Random Allocation
  • Reference Values
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Galactosamine