OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of combined slower plasma exchange (PE) and continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) with a parallel circuit in the treatment of chronic severe viral hepatitis B patients.

METHODS104 patients with chronic severe viral hepatitis B were divided into three groups: 44 patients were treated with a parallel circuit of combined slower plasma exchange and continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (group A), 30 patients were treated with plasma exchange (group B), and 30 patients received routine treatment (group C). Efficacy of treatment and survival rate in three groups were investigated. The levels of cytokine, plasma sodium concentration and pH value were examined before and after artificial liver support system treatment.

RESULTSIn group A, 7 of 9 patients in coma regained normal consciousness, 6 of 9 patients with hepatorenal syndrome restored renal function, hyponatremia was improved, the balance of pH value was corrected, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha level was decreased, and the total survival rate was 56.82%. In group B, 2 of 7 patients in coma regained normal consciousness, 1 of 5 patients with hepatorenal syndrome restored renal function. Hyponatremia, pH value and TNF-alpha level were not changed; the total survival rate was 33.33%. Both IL-1 and IL-6 levels were significantly decreased after treatment in group A. IL-10 level was increased in both group A and group B. In group C, 1 of 6 patients regained normal consciousness from coma, none of them restored renal function, and the total survival rate was 16.67%.

CONCLUSIONSCombined slower PE and CVVH with a parallel circuit is a new, safe and effective non-biological artificial liver in the treatment for chronic severe viral hepatitis B patients.