Effects of Charcoal Hemoperfusion with Prostacyclin on the Coagulation-fibrinolysis System and Platelets of Patients with Fulminant Hepatic Failure — Preliminary Observations

Abstract

The coagulation-fibrinolysis system and platelet function were studied in two patients with fulminant hepatic failure undergoing charcoal hemoperfusion with prostacyclin (PGI2) infusion. There was no adverse effect on the purely coagulative side and significant decreases were found only in Factors V and VII. There was a significant increase in platelet count and initially high BTG values decreased to normal. The findings suggest that PGI2 greatly improves the biocompatibility of hemoperfusion devices.