A simple measuring system for early detection of haemolysis during haemodialysis

A simple measuring system for early detection of haemolysis during haemodialysis is proposed. The developed measuring system performs an optical absorption spectroscopy analysis of the dialysis fluid in order to estimate the free haemoglobin concentration in the blood returned to the patient-the potential cause of injury for the patient. The integration of the developed measuring system into hemodialyzers results simple and relatively inexpensive (overall system cost is about few hundred dollars). Preliminary results confirm the applicability of the proposed measuring system

An experimental pilot study on controlled portal vein arterialization with an extracorporeal device in the swine model of partial liver resection and ischemia

To determine whether the physiologically oxygenated arterial blood reversed in the portal system by means of portal vein arterialization (PVA) through an extracorporeal device which we have called L.E.O2.NARDO (Liver Extracorporeal Oxygen. NARDO) is effective in treating swine with subtotal hepatectomy leading to acute liver failure (ALF)

An experimental pilot study on controlled portal vein arterialization with an extracorporeal device in the swine model of partial liver resection and ischemia

Aim: To determine whether the physiologically oxygenated arterial blood reversed in the portal system by means of portal vein arterialization (PVA) through an extracorporeal device which we have called L. E. O-2. NARDO ( Liver Extracorporeal Oxygen. NARDO) is effective in treating swine with subtotal hepatectomy leading to acute liver failure (ALF). Methods: Ten swine with ALF induced by 85-90% liver resection and five minutes of ischemia-reperfusion injury were randomly divided into two groups: five animals received PVA extracoporeal treatment and five swine were not-treated ( control group). Blood was withdrawn from the iliac artery and reversed in the portal venous system. An extracorporeal device was interposed between the outflow and the inflow in order to monitoring the hemodynamic parameters. Each treatment lasted 6 hours. Serum and liver samples were collected in both groups. The survival was assessed at 1 week. Results: The PVA-extracorporeal treatment yielded beneficial effects for subtotal hepatectomy-induced ALF swine with decreased serum ammonia, transaminases and total bilirubin as compared with the untreated group. INR recovered rapidly in the PVA-extracorporeal group remaining significantly lower than in untreated animals. The 7-day survival of PVA-extracorporeal group swine was significantly higher than that of untreated animals, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Four swine in the PVA-extracorporeal group survived at 1 week while none of the swine in the control group were alive at that time; an average time of 144h +/- 13h and 24.4h +/- 5h was observed in the PVA-extracorporeal and control groups, respectively. Conclusions: Arterial blood supply in the portal system through the extracorporeal device is easily applicable, efficacious, safe and may represent a novel approach for ALF swine induced by subtotal liver resection

Portal Vein Oxygen Supply Through a Liver Extracorporeal Device to Treat Acute Liver Failure in Swine Induced by Subtotal Hepatectomy: Preliminary Data

AIM: To determine whether the increase of oxygen supply in the portal system by a liver extracorporeal (L.E.O.NARDO) device is effective in treating swine with subtotal hepatectomy leading to acute liver failure (ALF). METHODS: Eight swine with ALF induced by 85% to 90% liver resection and 5 minutes of ischemia-reperfusion injury were randomly divided into two groups: four animals received L.E.O.NARDO treatment and four swine were not treated (control group). Blood was withdrawn from the iliac artery and reversed in the portal venous system. An extracorporeal device was interposed between the outflow and the inflow in order to monitor the hemodynamic parameters. Each treatment lasted 6 hours. Serum and liver samples were collected in both groups. The survival was assessed at 1 week. RESULTS: L.E.O.NARDO treatment yielded beneficial effects for subtotal hepatectomy-induced ALF in swine with decreased serum transaminases as compared with the untreated group. International normalized ratio recovered rapidly in the L.E.O.NARDO group, remaining significantly lower than in untreated animals. The 7-day survival of L.E.O.NARDO group swine was significantly higher than that of untreated animals, with a significant difference. Three swine in the L.E.O.NARDO group survived 1 week while none of the swine in the control group were alive at that time. CONCLUSIONS: Oxygen supply in the portal vein through the L.E.O.NARDO device is easily applicable, efficacious, and safe and may represent a novel approach for ALF in swine induced by subtotal liver resectio