Therapeutic plasma exchange in acute liver failure: Unravelling its efficacy and impact

BACKGROUND: Acute liver failure presents a significant medical challenge due to its rapid onset, progression, and high mortality rates, often necessitating liver transplantation. Therapeutic plasma exchange has emerged as a potential intervention to modulate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and to reduce the need for immediate transplantation. METHODS: This retrospective monocentric study was conducted at a tertiary referral hospital from June 2023 to March 2024 to assess the efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange in acute liver failure patients. Clinical parameters, including biochemical markers, coagulation status, and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores, were analyzed pre- and post-plasma exchange. Additionally, hospitalization duration and adverse events associated with the procedure were documented. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with acute liver failure underwent therapeutic plasma exchange resulting in significant improvements in biochemical markers, notably reductions in bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase levels (p-value