Physicians at the University of Chicago Hospitals are beginning clinical testing
of the first artificial liver device that uses cells from humans rather than
from pigs. The ELAD
(Extracorporeal Liver Assist Device), produced by As the pilot center for the first controlled trial of the device, the
University of Chicago is the only hospital in the world currently able to offer
this treatment. This study will determine the safety and efficacy of the
device.
"Several previous devices
containing liver cells from pigs have produced encouraging results," said
Michael Millis, M.D., associate professor of surgery and director of the liver
transplant program
at the University of Chicago Hospitals, "but there has been a good deal of
concern about exposing patients to animal cells, which may function slightly
differently and could harbor infectious agents. This trial should determine
whether a device that incorporates A second advantage is that this device can be used continuously by changing
the cartridges every few hours. The artifical liver devices containing pig
cells can be used for no more than six to eight hours each day.
The study will involve patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), a rapidly
worsening liver dysfunction that primarily occurs in young, healthy people
'"/>
Contact: John Easton
jeaston@mcis.bsd.uchicago.edu
773-702-6241
University of Chicago Medical Center
5-Apr-1999
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